Dear Student,

You are being invited to take part in a research study of suicidality and help seeking among students at TCD that is being completed by the Student Counselling Services, the Trinity School of Nursing and Midwifery, the Students’ Union and the College Health Service. The study is led by Dr Louise Doyle, Mr Chuck Rashleigh, Dr Brian Keogh and Ms Lucia Nwabueze. 

Before you decide whether you wish to take part, please read this information carefully which tells you about the study and what it involves. The full information sheet about the study can be accessed here: Full Participant Information Leaflet

Don’t feel rushed or under pressure to make a quick decision. You should understand the risks and benefits of taking part in this study so that you can make a decision that is right for you. You may wish to discuss it with your family, friends or GP.

THE LINK FOR THE SHAPE SURVEY IS AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE IF YOU DECIDE TO PARTICIPATE.

Why is this study being done?

Self-harm and suicidal behaviour are serious public health issues that affect students and can impact on their lives. We are conducting this online survey to see how many students at Trinity College Dublin (TCD) are affected by suicidal thoughts, self-harm or have attempted to end their own lives. We also want to know the type of support that they received if they were affected by self-harm or suicidal behaviour. We need this information of make sure that the student support services that are provided by TCD are attuned to the needs of students who are affected by self-harm and suicidal behaviour. Taking part in the study will involve the completion of an online anonymous survey that will take 10 – 15 minutes to complete. We understand that this is a very sensitive subject and that some of the questions might be upsetting for you to think about. If you are affected and need some support, we have provided the contact details of services that will provide you with support.

You can complete the survey if you are a registered student at Trinity College Dublin (Access, foundation, undergraduate, postgraduate and research) and you are at least 18 years old.

Why have I been invited to take part?

You have been invited to take part because you are a registered student at Trinity College Dublin. All students (undergraduate, access programme, foundation, postgraduate and research students) can take part. We want as many students as possible to complete the survey. Only complete the survey if you are at least 18 years old.

Do I have to take part? Can I withdraw?

You don't have to take part in this study. It is entirely voluntary. If you decide not to take part, it won’t affect your studies at TCD in any way. If you do not wish to complete the survey, you can close your browser and ignore or delete the email that was sent to invite you to take part. This is an anonymous survey, and we are not collecting any information that will identify you. For that reason, if you do complete and submit the survey, you will not be able to withdraw as we will have no way of identifying your survey from the other students who take part. 

How will the study be carried out?

This is an online survey that will take place in October 2022. If you decide to complete the survey, please click the link at the end of this page which will take you to a consent form and then the survey questions. Please read each question carefully and click the response that you feel matches your experience. We will be asking some questions about you, about your experience of depression and anxiety, about self-harm and suicidal behaviour, and some questions about any help or support you used if you were affected. We have been very careful to make sure that you cannot be identified from your answers to these questions.

Are there any benefits to taking part in this research?

Taking part in this study will not directly benefit you. However, research performed with your
information may help us to better understand the prevalence of self-harm and suicidal behaviour (how many people are affected) and their support needs.

Are there any risks to me or others if I take part?

Some of the questions in this survey are about self-harm and suicide and it may be upsetting for you to think about this subject, especially if you or a person you know has been affected. If you feel that thinking about self-harm and suicide will be too upsetting, then you should not complete the survey. If you complete the survey and feel that you would like to talk to someone about any of the issues raised, we have provided a list of services for you to contact for free and confidential support.

Who should I contact for information or complaints?

If you have any concerns or questions, you can contact:

  • Principal Investigator: Dr Louise Doyle (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. )

Will I be contacted again?

If you would like to take part in this study, please click the link below which will take you to the
consent page and then the survey. Once you finish the survey you will be asked to submit the
online form. The researchers will not contact you again once you have submitted the survey.


THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ THIS INFORMATION

If you have found any of the information in this document upsetting and would like to talk to someone, support from the Trinity Student Counselling Services is available:

Contact: 

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri, 09:00 – 17:00

Emergency appointments are available by request weekdays (excl. Bank Holidays and University closures)

Out of hours:

 

Link to Qualtrics Survey

 

 

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