Today is the day.
As thousands of students will receive their Leaving Cert results today, Turn2Me, a national mental health charity, is urging students across the country to use its services if they need someone to talk to.
Explaining that young people might be feeling happy, disappointed, or overwhelmed with their leaving cert results today, the charity is keen to bring attention to the fact that many will need some support to manage their mental health right now.
"Even if students are happy with their results and they performed well, they may still be feeling high levels of anxiety as they prepare for the next stage of their lives, whether it's the first year of college, a year abroad, or going straight into the workplace or repeating the year," says Fiona O'Malley, CEO of Turn2Me.
"A period of significant transition in a person's life brings feelings of trepidation and uncertainty, and there is no denying that many teenagers find this period overwhelming."
O'Malley explains that Turn2Me runs free support groups most evenings at 6pm and a free 'Thought Catcher' online mood diary every day from 2pm until 8pm where people can post about how they're feeling about their results.
Free, professional mental health services
"Turn2Me offers free, professional mental health services 365 days a year for people over the age of 12 in Ireland," O'Malley says.
"I would encourage any young person, and indeed, any parents, who feel nervous about today's leaving cert results to use our mental health services. Our support groups and our Thought Catcher services have no waiting lists, so people can sign up on our website, Turn2Me.ie, and start using these services very quickly."
The charity stated that some students may be disappointed, but that there is always another option if young people aren't happy with their results - they might consider a different course, a different career path or even repeating.
Parents can struggle to support their children if they're unhappy with their leaving cert results, but the charity suggested that parents sitting with their child as they receive their results can be helpful.
"Not the time for criticism"
If your child is disappointed with their results, O'Malley explains that immediate criticism isn't helpful.
"There's no point saying, 'you didn't study hard enough' or 'you should have done better,' she says.
"This is not the time for criticism. If your child is disappointed, they will be in quite a fragile state, so giving out to them will exacerbate feelings of depression or anxiety."
After a few hours, when your child has had some time to think about the results they've received, maybe try to gently approach the topic of 'Plan B' – whether that is repeating, going to a study coach, doing a pivot course to another course, or considering another career path.
"It's important to emphasise that today, there are so many other options available to people. The Leaving Cert isn't the only gateway to success!"
"If you're disappointed, you're not alone"
Turn2Me said that so many people are happy with their results, but there are some young people who will be very disappointed.
"If you're disappointed, you're not alone," O'Malley said.
"So many people will be in the same boat as you. Please, please, please use our services if you need to talk to someone - we have amazing counsellors, psychotherapists and mental health professionals working on our site, Turn2Me.ie, and we run 365 days a year. We offer free support groups on anxiety, depression, grief, and relationship issues most evenings at 6pm; we have a free 'Thought Catcher' mood diary which runs every day from 2pm until 8pm; and we have one-to-one counselling sessions, all available on our website. If you're feeling disappointed, please sign up for our professional mental health services - that's what they're there for."
The charity also said that going for a walk or a run, being around nature, mindfulness and writing down your thoughts can help people deal with disappointment, and also encouraged young people to spend time with a loved one or a friend if they're feeling disappointed in their results.
