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How to respond to students in distress
Imminent Risk To Self of Others
E.g., Threat of or actual injury to self or others or property, emotional outbursts, aggression, bizarre or unusual behaviour, overdose, etc.
Step 1: Contact Emergency Services at 999 or 112
Step 2: Contact UL Security at 061 213333
Step 3: Inform the Student Counselling and Wellbeing Service at counselling@ul.ie to make them aware of the situation.
No Imminent Risk to Self or Others
E.g., Poor personal hygiene, falling asleep in class, older or healed signs of self-harm, weight change, reduced engagement, diminished grades, missed assignments, withdrawal, etc.
If the distress is;
Emotional or psychological, provide student with details of the Student Counselling and Wellbeing Service drop-in times.
Medical, provide student with details of the Student Health Centre.
Academic, provide student with details of the Student Engagement and Support Officers (SESOs).
Related to loss or grief, provide student with details of the Chaplaincy Service.
Note: If guidance is required during normal working hours, email counselling@ul.ie. Alternatively, call 086-7807579 or 086-1370662. Should you make contact with the service after hours, we will respond the next working day.
Out of Hours and External Support Services that may be helpful
Staff training:
‘Identifying and Responding to Distressed Students’ training
The University of Limerick Student Counselling and Wellbeing Service, together with the Office of the Provost and Deputy President, the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and the Psychological Counsellors in Higher Education in Ireland (PCHEI), are delighted to launch of the new “Identifying and Responding to Distressed and At-Risk Students” training for all staff in the University of Limerick.
How to access the training
Module 1:
Simply click the link below and use your UL staff email account to log-in.
Module 1 Identifying and Responding to Distressed and At-Risk Students log-in
Module 2:
Simply click the link below and use your UL staff email account to log-in.
Module 2 Identifying and Responding to Distressed and At-Risk Students log-in
Module 3:
Staff who have completed modules one and two will receive an email from hrtalentdevelopment@ul.ie. Module 3 should not be attended unless Modules 1 and 2 have been completed.
Module 3 dates for the AY 2025/26 are as follows:
Wednesday 8th October (9.15am to 11.30am)
Monday 17th November (9.15am to 11.30am)
Wednesday 11th March (9.15am to 11.30am)
Wednesday 15th April. (9.15am to 11.30am)
We hope that you enjoy the upcoming training and thank you for helping to create a university community where every student feels safe and supported.
If you are at risk / suicidal please immediately contact either the crisis liaison mental health team at the University Hospital Limerick (061 301111) or your local hospital, or your GP immediately.