Students flock to pet animals for their mental health

A brown alpaca in a metal pen, it has a long top of curly hair on its head and is wearing a red lead. There are a number of young people standing behind it. Theres another alpaca in the pen.

This Alpaca is one of a number of animals visiting St Mary's College campus

Robbie Meredith
Education and arts correspondent, BBC News NI

Could some furry, feathered and even scaly friends help students look after their mental health?

The Students' Union at St Mary's University College in west Belfast certainly think so.

As part of a week of activities and events to help students with their mental health, the students' union have arranged for a variety of animals to come to the campus for a day.

Students have flocked to pet the rabbits, gerbils, alpacas and even a turkey and a snake.

Caoilte Hamill pictured outside in a courtyard. He has short ginger/blonde hair and has a giner/blonde beard. He is wearing a black tracksuit top.

Caoilte Hamill says petting animals can be a welcome break for students

For the Union president Caoilte Hamill, the visit of the animals was a way to bring students together.

"You know what, it's probably just because of how silly it is," he told BBC News NI.

"We have a couple of different external people coming in to give serious talks and things this week about the effects of mental health and how to better it."

A black rabbit in a black open box. It is being petted by a sudent.

A few students became good friends with the rabbits

"But something like this can just prove to people that a nice break from the lectures, a nice break from the day-to-day classroom environment, to come out and have a bit of craic with something that you might not usually get can be really, really helpful."

"Positive experiences with people with people you enjoy the company of can be absolutely beneficial to people's mental health and this was just a way to show that."

Lezin Baris has long brown hair and is wearing a black coat. She is outside in a courtyard with people behind her.

Lezin Baris says the event has made her feel part of the student community

And for international student Lezin Baris, who has come from Dortmund in Germany to study at St Mary's, the visit of the animals was a great example of how important it was to feel part of a student community.

"Days like these are small but precious moments and make everybody laugh and kind of forget about exams and stuff," she told BBC News NI.

Laura McMullan and Caoimhe Scannell pictured sitting down. Laura has long brown hair and is wearing a cream cardigan. Caoimhe has her hair tied back and is wearing a cream coloured fleece.

Laura McMullan and Caoimhe Scannell made friends with the animals

Meanwhile, students Laura McMullan and Caoimhe Scannell had made friends with some rabbits.

"It's just really good because it gives you a bit of a break from the day at uni, it gives you a break out of class to come and see some of the animals," Ms McMullan said.

"Animals are like a companion and they keep you busy and take your mind off other things," added Ms Scannell.

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