Picture: Domnick Walsh
BULLYING is a cause of stress for Leaving Certificate students in Kerry with almost a third – mostly females – saying they have been bullied either online or at school, with a similar number saying they know someone who has been bullied.
A Kerry Mental Health Association survey of over 600 final year students in Kerry has found that more males than females admitted that they bullied others.
69 per cent were worried about not fitting in with others and almost half said that browsing social media made no change to their self-esteem.
The primary aim of the online survey, to determine the impact of Covid-19 on the mental health of Leaving Certificate students in Kerry, was confirmed when 99 per cent said it had created stress for them and 37 per cent reported that it had worsened their mental health significantly.
The survey, which took place at the end of January and the findings of which were released today, also examined the issue of bullying in secondary schools and looked at the role social media plays in their lives.
It’s 20 years since Kerry Mental Health Association last asked Leaving Certificate students in Kerry a series of questions about how their studies and various social factors impact their mental health and some of those questions were revisited in this survey.
The General Manager of Kerry Mental Health Association, John Drummey, said the world has changed considerably since 2001.
“Covid-19 has confirmed how reliant we are on technology as we depend on it for work, education and general connectivity with others,’ he said.
Not as many respondents reported that alcoholism was a problem in the home compared to the 2001 survey but some things haven’t changed for a third of teenagers, with bullying continuing to be a cause of stress.
In terms of gender, eight students said they identified as non-binary, one as intersex, three preferred not to say and 10 chose, but did not complete, the “Let me type” option on the survey.
John Drummey said that while the survey of Leaving Certificate students provided a snapshot of how a global crisis has affected their mental health at an already stressful time in their lives, there is a need to focus on the positives.
“It’s important to check-in with each other, to continue to promote the many supports that available for young people and to make sure they and their families know how to access these supports,” he said.
Those worried about someone’s behaviour or mental health you should speak to their GP, SouthDoc (1850-335-999), Kerry Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (066-7104857), or University Hospital Kerry’s Accident and Emergency (066-7184000). If someone’s life appears to be at imminent risk, call 112 or 999 for emergency help.
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