Transition Year Programme

Our Transition Year (TY) Programme is a one-week mental health awareness placement, conducted by clinical staff from St Patrick’s Mental Health Services.

About the programme

Every year, 100 students from across Ireland take part in the TY Programme, with 25 students participating in a week-long placement at a time.

Students engage in approximately five sessions each day, focusing on various aspects of mental health. They also get to take part in a mock multidisciplinary team (MDT) meeting.

Each May, we mark the graduation of students who have completed the programme, hearing from special guest speakers and giving out graduation certificates to each of the students, who leave the programme empowered to act as mental health ambassadors in both their schools and local communities.

2022/23 programme

The next TY Programme takes place over five separate week-long placements across the 2022/23 academic year. It is hoped to run a hybrid TY Programme with students attending in person on site in St Patrick’s University Hospital on James’ Street Dublin 8, and online for the remaining three days. Details will be confirmed closer to the time.

Applications for the 2022/23 programme are now closed but check back for updates about the 2023/24 programme. Please note there will not be a cancellation list.

What does the programme cover?
The programme includes lots of different, interactive sessions which are designed to give students a full and engaging experience.

Each placement aims to give students firsthand insight into mental healthcare. They begin with students being brought on a virtual tour of St Patrick’s University Hospital in Dublin 8. Throughout their dedicated week, students also:
- learn about the history of mental healthcare in Ireland
- meet mental health experts and clinicians
- hear from people who have gone through mental health difficulties on their experiences of mental health recovery
- prepare and deliver presentations on mental health topics
- discuss mental health stigma and ways to tackle it.
We work closely with students throughout the week to help build their mental health awareness and see them return to their schools as mental health champions.
When does the programme run?
The next TY Programme takes place over the five weeks below.
- 7-11 November 2022
- 21-25 November 2022
- 16-20 January 2023
- 6-10 February 2023
- 20-24 February 2023