On October 31st at 12pm, Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union (TCDSU/AMLCT) President Seán Thim published a statement on Instagram officially resigning from their position as President of the Trinity Students’ Union.
As for the President’s personal reasons for the resignation, Thim cited “a combination of factors” that caused their mental health to “deteriorate”. In previous statements to The University Times and in their statement today, Thim specifically mentioned “Dysthymia”, a form of depression, as a reason for taking leave in the past and the basis for their mental health struggles. Calls for the President to step down were also reported by The University Times earlier this month.
In the post, the President dedicated a portion of their statement to offer encouragement to others struggling with mental health, emphasising that “it doesn’t diminish your worth as a person.”
Thim further wrote that they have faith “the students of this College will go on from strength to strength,” in their absence, and expressed their belief that the Union is “strong and resilient” and will carry on working for the students “no matter what”.
In a post on Instagram, former TCDSU/AMLCT President Jenny Maguire (2024-25) reposted Thim’s statement, saying “Being in the SU is really hard, but the hardest part is prioritising yourself – it’s something I often failed at last year”. Adding “Maith thú” (English: “Well done”) tagging Thim.
The TCDSU/AMLCT constitution requires that a bye-election take place following the resignation of a sabbatical officer. Chapter 7.3.5(c) of the constitution says “Nominations for the Sabbatical Elections shall open and close at a time specified by the EC [Electoral Commission], but shall be open for a minimum of one week and should close a minimum of two weeks before the start of the Elections.” Furthermore, chapter 7.4.6(a)(ii) states that “A Bye-Election among all of the members of the Union shall be held within two weeks of the closure of nominations.” in the event a Sabbatical Officer “ceases to be such during their term in office”.
The last time a sabbatical officer resigned was in March, 2024, when then-Education Officer Catherine Arnold resigned her post. The last time a TCDSU President resigned was in 1990, when then President Ivana Bacik resigned her post when it was discovered that she had broken a mandate regarding voting for Union of Students in Ireland (now AMLÉ) candidates.
The President’s full statement is below:
“A chairde,
I am resigning my post as President of TCDSU-AMLCT in order to prioritise taking care of myself. It is not an easy decision to make, and I know it may come as a shock, but after discussing with friends and family and seeking professional advice I believe this course of action is in the best interest of taking care of my mental health.
I live with a form of depression in my daily life (dysthymia). It gnaws at motivation, tears away from positive feelings, and brews an irritability when I am stressed. Despite everything, I had a hold on it, and had been out of treatment for almost three years. A combination of factors has caused my mental health to deteriorate again, slowly at first, but then more suddenly.
Mental health can seriously eat away at you, and can flare up for reasons that are entirely out of your control, but it doesn’t diminish your worth as a person.
For anyone who has struggled or is struggling with mental health, please do not hesitate to look for support when you need them. Asking for help is never a bother. I have faith in my absence that the students of this College will go on from strength to strength. The Union is strong and resilient, and I know that it will carry on working for you all, no matter what.
I want to extend my thanks to the students, the sabbatical team, and wider college community for every kind interaction and piece of support I have received. Serving as President has been the greatest privilege of my life.
Thank you and take care,
Mx. Seán Thim O’Leary”
Thim has been reached out to for further comment.
