World expert on internet security to help promote positive mental health at UCC

A WORLD expert on internet security will help a college promote positive mental health as part of a week-long initiative which begins today.

University College Cork (UCC) graduate Dr Rachel O’Connell is the former chief safety officer with social networking site Bebo.

She has been a key contributor to the development of policy on internet related issues in Britain, and most recently she chaired the Public Awareness Group of the Home Secretary’s Internet Task Force on Child Protection.

She is also a social media strategist and a board member of the new online mental health service, ReachOut.com.

ReachOut.com and the Sláinte Health Promotion Society have now combined to organise a lecture by Dr O’Connell as part of UCC’s De-Stress week.

Organised by UCC’s student’s union, De-Stress week is designed to get students thinking about their mental health. It will feature a series of activities throughout the week to encourage students to think about ways to “de-stress” ahead of exams next month.

Tomorrow is Positive Mental Health Day and ReachOut.com will have an information stand on campus to promote the new service and to talk to students about what mental health means to them.

The Students’ Union also plans to hand out exam wall-planners with tips on de-stressing and study skills, as well as stress balls, note tabs and lots of other goodies to help students get through the study month.

UCC Welfare Officer Rebecca Murphy said it is vital that students look after their mental health.

“It’s important that students take time to unwind in the lead up to exams – ultimately it’ll help them to perform better if they’re in a more relaxed state of mind and if they feel more able to cope with what’s being thrown at them,” she said.

ReachOut’s director of programmes, Derek Chambers, said that it’s important for all support services to get out and meet young people where they are to find out what they want and need to help look after their mental health.

Dr O’Connell’s lecture entitled ‘The internet, technology and well-being’ will be delivered at 1pm tomorrow in the West Wing 6.