Counselling and Maritime Life Skills Training Programme
In October 2015, NMCI engaged the services of counsellor Paul Mc Carthy on a Wednesday during the academic year in order to assist in addressing the mental heath needs of all NMCI students both ashore and afloat. Paul worked for 26 years in the Irish Naval Service, where he performed a similar role and so is uniquely qualified to understand the stressors of Maritime life. Academically he is qualified in three modalities of counselling, namely an MA in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) which is the treatment of choice for issues like Depression and Anxieties, BA in General Counselling and Diplomas in Addiction Counselling and Stress Management. He also has vast experience in dealing with traumatic critical incidents at sea such as workplace accidents and fatalities. This counselling service in NMCI is broadly referred to as "Maritime Life Skills Training Programme" and hopes to assist both individuals and groups with common mental health issues as well as generic issues such as stress management and awareness around bullying etc. Such a programme endeavours to equip all maritime students with basic positive mental health skills.
Maritime Life Skills Programme NMCI FAQs
- Where do I go to see a Counsellor in NMCI?
For a face to face meeting on a Wednesday, the Maritime Life Skills Counsellor is based in Room 2.66 on the second floor. We will work with you to see if we can offer you appointments at a time to suit you where possible.
- How do I make an appointment?
Appointments can be made by emailing "Counselling". We also offer one early and one lunchtime consultation in order to minimise class disruption. Also you can ring the Counselling reception desk in CIT at +00353 21 4335772.
- How long does a Meeting Last?
Consultations last for 50 minutes, where you will have an opportunity to talk about what is going on for you. A Counsellor will not be able to provide instant solutions, or advise you what to do but will listen and facilitate an increasing awareness of yourself and your choice of possibilities. To come for counselling takes courage as it involves facing up to what ever issue is causing you a problem. Asking someone else for help should not be seen as a sign of weakness but on the contrary should be seen as a wise sign that you are taking steps, hopefully at an early stage, to address any problems you are experiencing.
- What type of Issues Do Students Normally Seek Help For?
Life at Sea can throw up its own unique challenges. On top of that students normally seek help on a range of personal issue such as:
* Stress Including Exam Stress
* Procrastination
* Anxiety
* Excessive Worry
* Relationship Difficulties (family, romantic, classmates etc.)
* Depression or Mood Difficulties Including Isolation both ashore and afloat
* Grief or Bereavement
* Homesickness or Loneliness
* Lack of Motivation or Direction
* Assault or Abuse
* Bullying or Harassment Including Sexual Harassment
* Addiction or Substance Use
* Perfectionism
* Low Confidence or Self-Esteem
* Balancing Part-Time Work and Academic Requirements
- Is the service confidential?
Yes everything you say will be treated as confidential, and that will includ no requirement to inform your Sponsoring Company (if you are a sponsored cadet) provided you are Not a danger to yourself, other people or the law has not be broken. Where you have been referred to the Service by College staff, your counsellor will let them know you have attended but the content of your sessions will never be disclosed. With your consent only we can talk to people on your behalf if you so wish.
Counsellors are bound by the professional ethics of their accrediting organisation to maintain confidentiality. Case notes are kept on all students who attend but are always secured in a locked Counselling filing cabinet.
- Will the fact that I attended the counselling service appear on my academic record?
No definitely not.
- How soon can I be seen for an Initial Meeting?
We aim to offer everyone an appointment as soon as possible. However during busy times the wait can be a little longer. Because of the high demand for spaces, we would appreciate if you email immediately, if you wish to cancel your appointment.
- How many sessions am I entitled to?
While nothing will be written in stone, all students will be entitled to six individual sessions, and depending on the demands on the service this can be reviewed on a case by case basis
- What Happens in a Typical First Counselling Session?
Besides some basic routine administrative details being taken, a first session is normally an opportunity for you and your counsellor to outline and figure out what the problems actually are, discuss any concerns you may have and collaboratively decide what is the best strategy going forward to address those issues. Also you are encouraged to ask any questions you may have about the counselling service.
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Arrangements for NMCI Students In need of a GP appointment in Bridge Medical Practice Carrigaline
Contact Details are 021-4372663
Location – Carrigaline Primary Care Centre, Carrigaline
(please note as a student you will need transport as this is located slightly out of the village.
Hours of Business are:
Monday to Friday - 9 am to 5 pm
Monday to Thursday – open in the evenings up to 7.30 pm
Saturday morning – 10 am to 12 noon
As a student you must ring and make an appointment in advance. Students should indicate when they ring that they are an NMCI student and they must present their Student ID Card at the Medical Practice on arrival. The charge for NMCI students is €10 if they have no medical card.
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Helpful Links and Resources
Click here for access to HSE resources on Post-traumatic stress disorder
Maritime Mental Health Resources
In 2019 NMCI has become the first Maritime College in the World to Join the International Seafarers' Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN). This organisation promotes seafarer’s welfare worldwide and directly serves seafarers by providing a 24-hour helpline. All CIT students particularly when at sea can now avail of this free resource. Contact details are available on the following link
This website also has an excellent section on Physical Fitness at Sea with a lot of information on areas such as Workout Plans, an Online Fitness Calendar etc.
Social Anxiety
Social Anxiety is when we get anxious in social situations as we believe we will be judged negatively by the people we interact with. In another 2019 initiative CIT has signed up to an online Social Anxiety Treatment programme exclusively for CIT students. Just click on the link below for further information.
https://cit.participateonline.net/
Bibliotherapy
The use of books for therapeutic purposes is known as 'bibliotherapy'. Self-help books are now being recommended as a means of providing psychological therapy for people experiencing emotional and psychological difficulties.
The effectiveness of bibliotherapy has been well established in clinical trials. Bibliotherapy has been recommended by the National Institute for
Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) UK as a useful start in treating mild and moderate depression, anxiety and panic and some other mental health problems.
Click here for access to HSE resources on Mental Health Services
Reach Out Ireland
ReachOut.com is a website which aims to provide quality assured mental health information to help young people in Ireland get through tough times.
They have a section specifically for college students, which you can reach here: www.reachout.com
National Office for Suicide Prevention
Links to various agencies dealing with suicide including links to support agencies for those bereaved by suicide
Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide
A website that contains a variety of supports and resources for those bereaved by suicide.
Pieta House
Pieta House is a non-profit organisation providing a specialised treatment programme for people who have suicidal ideation or who participate in self-harming behaviours.
Please Talk
If students experience problems at home, college, or in their private lives, they can log on to www.pleasetalk.ie
Just select their college and identify what services that are available that they might want to access. Please Talk is supported by the HSE through the National Office of Suicide Prevention, and is part of the National Mental Health Strategy.
Also there is a good video about the value for students in talking to a counsellor about their issues.
One in Four
Supports men and women who have experienced sexual abuse and/or sexual violence
01-662 4070
Sexual Violence Centre Cork
5 Camden Place, Cork
Tel: 021-4505577 or Freephone 1800 496 496
(Formerly Cork Rape Crisis Service) Counselling service for survivors of rape, sexual abuse & child abuse.
Harbour Counselling Service (HSE)
Penrose Wharf, Cork
Tel: 021-4861360 or 1800 234 116
Support for adults who as children experienced abuse or neglect.
Amen
Provides a confidential helpline, information and a support service for male victims of domestic abuse
Tel: 046-9023718
Victim Support
4 Anglesea Villas, Anglesea St., Cork
Tel: 021-4322333 or 1850 661 771.
Emotional and practical support to those affected by crime.
Alliance Centre
16 Peters St., Cork.
Tel: 021-4275837 (Office) or 021 427 56 15 (Helpline) (Monday - Friday 10am - 5pm).
Information and support on all aspects of drugs and sexual health.
Aware
Local support group meetings for those affected by depression.
Helpline 1890 303 302 (Seven days 10am-10pm. Thurs to Sun, the helpline also operates after 10pm)
Cork AWARE run a weekly Young Adult Support & Self Care Group in Cork, Inniscarraig Centre, Western Road every Wednesday at 8 pm.
Bodywhys
Provides confidential, non judgemental support for people affected by eating disorders.
Lo call helpline, e mail support, support groups, online support group.
No meetings in Cork at present.
Overeaters Anonymous (Cork)
Tel: 086 3526467
Support for people with eating disorders
Grow
Mental health organisation which helps people who have suffered, or are suffering, from mental health problems.
Helpline: 1890 474474
Office: 11 Liberty St., Cork. Tel: 427 75 20
G.U.M. (Genito-Urinary Medicine / Sexually Transmitted Infections)
Outpatients Dept., South Infirmary/Victoria Hospital Complex, Old Blackrock Rd., Cork.
Tel: 021-4966844
Free and confidential service offering diagnosis & treatment of sexually transmitted infections, HIV testing and contact tracing. Health advice also offered. Ring for appointment.
Mental Health Ireland
Support for people with a mental illness, their families and carers.
Spun Out
SpunOut.ie is Ireland’s youth information website created by young people, for young people.
Spun Out aim to educate and inform their readers about the importance of holistic wellbeing and how good health can be maintained, both physically and mentally.
Samaritans
www.samaritans.org
Coach Street, Cork.
Tel: 021-4271323 Call save 1850 60 90 90
MY Mind
My Mind Centre for Mental Wellbeing was founded in 2006 as a not-for-profit community based provider of accessible mental health care. Based in centres in Dublin, Cork and Limerick city, providing a wide range of clients with counselling and psychotherapy services. My Mind charges clients fees based upon their employment status, allowing the unemployed or full time students to access our services at reduced rates.
Turn2Me
Turn2Me provides a 3 tiered online approach to supporting mental well-being - Self Help, Peer Support and Professional Support. Remain anonymous, express yourself and share your experiences without fear of recognition or judgement.
Students Against Depression
This website offers information and resources validated by health professionals alongside tips and advice from students who have experienced it all themselves.
www.studentsagainstdepression.org
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Fact Sheets
Click here for fact sheet on "Depression"
Click here for fact sheet on "Stress Management"
Click here for a fact sheet on "Steps to Positive Mental Health for Seafarers"
Click here for "Fitness Guidelines Specifically for Merchant Navy"
Click here for "6 Tips to Beat Loneliness At Sea”
