The MTU Wellbeing Podcast

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We showcase the Communities of Practice event organized by MTU's Department of Applied Social Studies, featuring expert speakers on recovery, addiction, and trauma-informed approaches that support student wellbeing.

• Communities of Practice bring together students, academics, practitioners, and placement hosts to explore current trends in social care
• Mark Wright shares his journey from addiction to working with the Recovery Academy, emphasizing multiple pathways to recovery
• Dr. Sharon Lambert advocates for "radical self-compassion" and creating trauma-sensitive university environments that prioritize diversity
• Dr. Jane Mulcahy explains how trauma affects neurophysiology and suggests curiosity rather than judgment when supporting individuals with trauma
• Trauma training should be available across all university departments, not just in mental health-related disciplines
• Recovery requires breaking down silos between stakeholders and creating collaborative approaches that acknowledge lived experience
• Self-care strategies for practitioners include setting boundaries, physical movement, connecting with nature, and seeking proper clinical supervision

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This episode focuses on "A Healthy MTU" initiative, emphasizing its efforts to improve health and wellbeing for students and staff. The discussion includes strategies to address common challenges, such as financial stress and the importance of social connections in enhancing the university experience.
Guests Bio:
Dr Andrea Bickerdike
Andrea is a Lecturer in Health & Wellbeing, and health researcher at MTU. Her research interests include health promotion, and the design/delivery of interventions that enhance population health. She has a particular interest in all approaches that aim to maximise the health and wellbeing of university students and staff. Having completed her PhD in campus health promotion, Andrea is Co-Director of ‘A Healthy MTU’ (MTU’s Healthy Campus Programme). Since 2023, she is also the MTU Director of an online MSc Programme in Health & Wellbeing (delivered jointly with UCC). 
Siobhan Griffin
Siobhan is a lecturer on the Health, Sport & Exercise Sciences course on the Kerry campus. She lectures on a number of health studies topics including health and wellbeing & behaviour change interventions. She has a background in corporate health promotion and spent a number of years as a wellness specialist in Apple. Following this she gained an M.Ed from Mary Immaculate College (MIC) and began her journey in the community education sector, working with marginalised community groups and early school leavers. Siobhan is passionate about preventative healthcare, lifestyle medicine, as well as, diversity and inclusion.
Conversation highlights include:
• Discussing the goals of "A Healthy MTU" initiative  
• Understanding the challenges students face during their transition to higher education  • Discussing actionable strategies to enhance sleep and lifestyle habits  
• Recognizing staff wellbeing in the academic environment  
• The vision for integrated health and wellbeing in MTU's curriculum  
• Upcoming events and opportunities for engagement in health initiatives
Links:
https://hea.ie/policy/health-and-wellbeing-landing-page/healthy-campus-landing-page/
https://www.healthpromotingcampuses.org/okanagan-charter
Email: ahealtymtu@mtu.ie
A Healthy MTU (@ahealthymtu) • Instagram photos and videos
A Healthy MTU: About | LinkedIn

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Key Discussion Points and Time Stamps:

 1. 20  - Introductions, Niall McNamee and Michael Guerin
 4.00    -  What is Problem Gambling, what are the challenges of gambling
5.20     - People get addicted to the ritual of speculating money
7. 45      - Niall tells his story from gambling a few bets to losing up to €250,000
18.45   - Niall talks about his low self esteem, negative self talk and how he couldn't see a way out when in the mod
21.40   - Niall talks about the arrogance of winning, how to guard against showing     off and how unattractive trait this is
24.30  - Michael talks about responsible gambling, the increase in young people gambling online and some of the signs and symptoms to look out for.
29.00 -  Michael reminds us that problematic gamblers are in closer proximity to us then we realise
30. 35  - Michael makes the clear distinction  between problem gambling and responsible gambling with the question; Am I using gambling as a distraction or a method to absolve myself from contemplating things that might be bothering me?
32.50 -  Michael talks about the transitioning time for students is such a challenging time with increased stress
35.00  - Niall reminds students how he gambling helped him switch off from the world and forget the problems to take time to be aware of your thoughts
 40.00 - Niall reinforces the message that  when you are problem gambling you need to get help and talks about going to the Rutland Centre in Dublin for help
 44 .10  Niall talks about the importance of going to meetings and surrounding yourself with good people
 46.05- Michael talks about how we need to foster a culture where it is acceptable to come forward provide opportunities for individuals to do so
48 .30  Students Questions Answered- Niall and Michael answer students questions and give some very good advice for a friend who might be concerned about someone else
1. hr 2 min - Michael finishes off the podcast by highlighting the importance of problem gamblers finding answers  through dialogue and telling them not to be afraid to come forward
1 hour 3 mins 30  Niall finishes by sharing the magical feelings of opening up and getting help while encouraging students to get help also

Links and Supports

https://gamblingcare.ie/

National Helpline No. 1800 936 725

Student Counselling Cork Campus:
https://www.mycit.ie/counselling 

Student Counselling Kerry Campus: 
https://www.ittralee.ie/en/InformationFor/CurrentStudents/StudentLife/StudentSupportServices/StudentCounsellor/ 

Part Time Course for Counselors, Health Care and Social Care Staff which is a  collaborative development between Munster Technological University and Cuan Mhuire/Galilee House of Studies. 
https://www.mtu.ie/courses/tlhgamau/ 

FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM: mtu_wellbeinghub

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Time Stamps                             
                                                               Introduction to the Student Engagement Office
      | 02:20  | 5 key services that the AnSEO Student Engagement Office have to offer
                                                             
                                                               What you have to look forward to in MTU
    | 13:20  | Staff support and Engaging in all aspects of university life
    | 15:45  | the sense of community, engaging with clubs and societies
    | 18:55  |  You deserve your place, its a fresh Start, it will take time to  settle in, Ask for  help
                                                                Managing  your wellbeing as a student
   | 24:15  |  balance,  plan my weeks, going to the gym in the MTU Arena
     | 26:48| Take 20, helps me switch off and have have a pair fresh eyes
                                          Sunday for me is the rest day

                                                                Overcoming Challenges as a student
  | 29:49  |  "its always hard at the beginning and gets better with time"
| 33:01  |  Finding friends and time management, meal prep- do shopping - "Whiteboard Wisdom"

                                                             Guests Golden Nugget
   | 37:51  | Get out of your comfort zone
   | 39;14  | Golden Nugget-enjoy your time, ask for help
    | 42:30 | Golden Nugget - get the edge award, get to know the staff

Email:     roisin.ogrady@mtu.ie

                                                           Useful Links:

AnSEO Student Engagement Office- https://linktr.ee/mtuanseo

The MTU Wellbeing Hub- Instagram         mtu_wellbeinghub

Students Union:                                     https://linktr.ee/mtucsu

Student Counseling:                         https://www.mycit.ie/counselling

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In this episode I talk to Jack Cooney, Player Development Lead with the GAA.

Jack has played, coached and managed at elite level in the GAA. He also has a Sport and Exercise Science degree and Masters in Sports Performance from University of Limerick. He is currently doing his Professional Doctorate in Elite Performance in Dublin City University.

On this episode Jack shares his insights and experiences in how he supports young athletes in sport. His positive attitude towards sport, young people and how he looks at things from their perspective is refreshing to hear. He talks about his belief in creating a fun and challenging environment where players are "leaders and/or learners". His passion and enthusiasm for sport is evident throughout this conversation.  If you play sport or coach at any level this podcast is worth 40 minutes of your time.

Time stamps:
5:00 – Jack developed interest in coaching and completed a part-time sports science degree and full-time Masters at UL

6:50 – Importance of things other than ‘winning’ in sport, how sport helps with personal evolution and self-reflection
12:15 – There will be tough times during sport, don’t forget the reason why you started playing sport
14:00 – Important to find a balance for young people between college and sport 
14:35 – Have honest conversations with Coach about stress levels, balancing time, etc. 
22:10 – Coaches have a strong impact on athletes 
24: 50 – Characteristics for athlete: willingness to learn, leader or learner, physical and psychological resilience, effort, look for small steps  
31:15 – Importance of having a plan and purpose in order to work towards something