[…]by the National Suicide Research foundation, which indicated that there has been a 21% increase in the number of self-harm cases among 10 to 24-year-olds between 2007 and 2017, USI have teamed up with Pieta House, Preventing Suicide and Self Harm to help break the stigma and shame surrounding self-harm, and spread the word about supports available if a student or their friend is going through a crap time. USI are encouraging students to add an orange ribbon to their profile pictures – an image which also bares a ‘semi-colon’ symbol, used to indicate where an author could have ended […]
[…]An Coimisinéir Teanga, announced his early resignation last week (4 December 2013) due to the continuous marginalisation of the Irish language in the public administration system and the inadequate implementation of statutory language schemes by public bodies; in the wake of this shock announcement, Conradh na Gaeilge and USI are calling on the Government to urgently address the concerns of An Coimisinéir Teanga in upholding the right of citizens to use Irish when interacting with state agencies, and to ensure measures are immediately implemented to put an end to the policy of compulsory English that is prevalent in state departments […]
[…]are disappointed that there is no plan to reduce what are the highest college and university fees in the European Union, within the five-year period covered by the proposed agreement. Currently standing at €3,000 for undergraduate students, and between €4,000 and €9,000 plus for postgraduates, the charge is a barrier to education for many, and we should be aiming to break these barriers, especially in light of the global pandemic which is forecast to lead to an economic recession. A number of commitments outlined in the Programme for Government are in line with USI policy and we welcome the recognition […]
[…]President Annie Hoey stated, “Students typically work in wholesale and retail and accommodation and food sectors. Evidence shows that these sectors are not only low-paid, but provide very low hours – typically 1 – 8 hours. These ‘If and When’ or zero hour contracts lend to unpredictable working hours and unstable income which can have a negative impact on students’ financial security”. Speaking before the presentation a 3rd year DIT student denounced zero hour contracts, “Currently I’m on a zero hour contract, making it impossible to budget or plan. At most, I’ll find out that I have a shift a […]
[…]and protect the lives of students every day on academic and social issues through campaigns, training and research. We are a membership organisation – our members are our affiliated Students’ Unions around Ireland, North and South. USI’s activities predominantly affects students and other people who are living in cities or regions that have either a higher education or further education institute in the region. Background College students are an important population when it comes to mental health and suicide prevention. Peak onset for mental health problems occur in early adulthood with 75% of difficulties occurring before the age of 25. […]
