By Eimear Rabbitte
Campus.ie Intern

"Lose the Blues", a website designed especially for students experiencing "low mood" has been launched by University College Cork. The website aims to help students to alleviate their low mood by providing them with information on depression and giving them the opportunity to interact with others who are experiencing similar difficulties. The website is part of a research study initiative undertaken by University College Cork which aims to investigate whether the website can help you improve your mood.

For this reason, a student must consent to taking part in the website before they can enter the website. In order to take part in the research study, participants must be between 18 - 24 years of age, a student at University College Cork, residing in Ireland and currently in low mood.

The website was developed by Aine Horgan, a PhD student and Psychiatric Nursing lecturer at UCC's School of Nursing and Midwifery. The website is part of a research study being undertaken by Ms. Horgan and supported by Dr. John Sweeney and Professor Geraldine McCarthy in the School of Nursing and Midwifery.

"With depression now the most common mental health problem worldwide, it was agreed that this forum offered the best means of communication for students who may be experiencing low mood to interact with each other."

In a previous study with 18- 24-year-old University Students, she found that almost 31% of young people have accessed the Internet for mental health information, most regularly information on suicide, depression and self-harm. A further 66% admitted that they would use the Internet for mental health support if they needed to.

The website will be monitored by a researcher in University College Cork to ensure safety is maintained and that the website is being used in the correct manner.

www.losetheblues.ie