Student Mental Health & Wellbeing Project Officer

Main Purpose of Job

The Student Mental Health & Wellbeing Project Officer will lead the implementation of a one-year pilot initiative to strengthen student mental health and wellbeing at Shannon College of Hotel Management through the development of a coordinated, proactive and preventative approach to mental health support. The post has been established through the HEA Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund and will play a central role in building the College's capacity to promote positive mental health, enhance early intervention, and develop sustainable systems that improve the overall student experience.

Working collaboratively with colleagues across Shannon College, the University of Galway student services, academic and professional staff, student representatives, and relevant external agencies, the postholder will coordinate the planning, delivery and evaluation of initiatives that promote student wellbeing and strengthen mental health supports across the campus.

The postholder will provide leadership in developing preventative mental health initiatives that increase awareness, build resilience and improve mental health literacy among students and staff. They will coordinate targeted wellbeing programmes, workshops, campaigns and events that encourage help-seeking behaviours, reduce stigma and foster an inclusive, supportive learning environment. Emphasis will be placed on early identification of students having trouble and ensuring that appropriate referral pathways are accessible, effective and well understood.

A key purpose of the role is to strengthen coordination between the College, University of Galway Student Counselling and Student Health Services, and external health and community agencies, ensuring that students can access timely and appropriate supports. The Mental Health Project Officer will work to improve communication, develop clear pathways for referral and signposting, and support staff in responding confidently and appropriately to students presenting with mental health concerns.

The postholder will also contribute to the monitoring, evaluation and continuous improvement of student mental health services. This will include gathering and analysing qualitative and quantitative data, monitoring service utilisation and emerging trends, evaluating the impact of wellbeing initiatives, and preparing reports to inform institutional planning and future service development.

The role will contribute to the development of a coherent Mental Health and Wellbeing Plan for Shannon College, providing recommendations that support the long-term sustainability of mental health initiatives beyond the pilot project.

The Mental Health Project Officer will work closely with those responsible for the provision of counselling services to support increased access to mental health supports, helping to reduce barriers to care and improve the overall responsiveness of services. While the role is not a counselling position, it will complement expanded counselling provision by strengthening prevention, coordination and early intervention activities across the College.

Ultimately, the purpose of the role is to embed mental health and wellbeing as a core element of the Shannon College student experience, contributing to improved student engagement, retention, success and belonging, while creating a healthier, more inclusive and supportive campus community.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, coordination and implementation of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Pilot Project in accordance with the objectives of the HEA Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund.

• Support the development and implementation of a whole-school approach to student mental health and wellbeing.

• Develop, implement and monitor an annual work plan to deliver agreed project objectives, milestones and outcomes.

• Contribute to the development of policies, procedures and protocols that support student mental health, wellbeing and early intervention.

• Coordinate initiatives that promote positive mental health, resilience and wellbeing across the student community.

• Develop and deliver mental health awareness campaigns, workshops, events and psychoeducational programmes that encourage help-seeking, reduce stigma and build mental health literacy.

• Promote preventative approaches that support student engagement, belonging, transition and overall wellbeing.

• Identify emerging trends and areas of student needs to inform future wellbeing initiatives and service planning.

• Act as a central point of coordination for student mental health initiatives and support pathways within the College.

• Promote early identification of students who may benefit from additional support and facilitate appropriate referral and signposting to internal and external services.

• Work collaboratively with academic and professional staff to support appropriate responses to students experiencing mental health difficulties while maintaining professional boundaries and confidentiality.

• Support the coordination of enhanced counselling provision to improve accessibility.

• Work collaboratively with Student Services, academic departments, student representatives and relevant committees to embed wellbeing across the student experience.

• Foster partnerships that enhance access to specialist supports and community resources.

• Coordinate mental health awareness and mental health literacy initiatives for staff and students.

• Support staff in recognising and responding appropriately to students experiencing mental health difficulties.

• Encourage the development of peer support and student engagement initiatives where appropriate.

• Develop systems to monitor project implementation, service activity and programme outcomes.

• Collect, analyse and interpret quantitative and qualitative data relating to student wellbeing initiatives and support services.

• Evaluate the effectiveness and impact of project activities using student feedback, staff feedback and institutional data.

Requirements for the Role:

The successful candidate will demonstrate the eligibility requirements below in terms of qualification, skills and experience.

Essential Criteria

• Relevant degree in psychology, counselling, mental health, social work, occupational therapy, nursing, or a related discipline.

• Demonstrated experience supporting mental health and wellbeing in an educational, healthcare, or community setting.

• Knowledge of common student mental health issues and evidence-based wellbeing interventions.

• Ability to assess needs, provide appropriate support, and make referrals to internal and external services.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and work within ethical and professional boundaries.

• Commitment to promoting equality, diversity, inclusion, and student-centred practice.

Desirable Criteria

• Familiarity with hospitality education or the unique pressures experienced by hospitality students.

• Experience working within higher education or with young adults (18–25 years).

• Experience establishing or developing wellbeing programmes or services.

• Experience collecting and analysing wellbeing data for evaluation and reporting.

• Experience managing projects, budgets, or grant-funded initiatives.

• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary support services.

• Experience building partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.

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