The Higher Education Policy Institute released a report into the state of student mental health services in October. The think tank’s findings were that the provisions that universities presently make for mental health support were inadequate. Furthermore, the increasing body of students and pressure due to the modern student lifestyle means that these are vastly underfunded. They called on universities to increase spending, in some cases by as much as three times their present budgets.
Student Mental Health Statistics
According to the new report, as much as 10% of the national student population has a diagnosable and treatable mental illness. Lacking access to support, despite a strong focus by universities on mental health in the last few years, many now run the risk of turning to drugs and alcohol. The number of student suicides has markedly increased in recent years, forcing various representative bodies to call on universities to act.
A higher education working group on mental health for university students said that many are not receiving the counselling support that they need. They further stated that something must be done before “this concern becomes a crisis”. Statistics released by universities recently showed that around 50% of all ambulance call outs to campus or student accommodation offsite were for suicide attempts or incidents of self-harm.
Student Mental Health Recommendations
The report made a number of recommendations, including the call for greater investment in student mental health services. As well as greater investment in resources, they requested that the government and health chiefs adapt the NHS system to include continuity of care.
At present, students have the option of registering at their campus health centre or their place of normal residence outside of term time. As mental health issues do not go away during the term breaks, students need to be able to access such services at home too. The authors commented directly following publication of the report:
- That student mental health services are difficult to access, especially outside of term time
- NHS mental health services are inadequate at present, something that many are calling on to change, but that no special provisions are made for university students and should be
Lack of Knowledge of Services
Although universities have invested in such services as Nightline, and Samaritans exist as a general mental health service for anyone, many students remain unaware of the provisions for their care. Leaving home and going to university for the first time is stressful. It has been identified as a particular stress for students who are the first in their family to do so. They have no advice or support to draw on from family who have never experienced the unique stresses of attending university. Leaving friends, family and familiar surroundings can cause anxiety especially for those who are more introverted, for example.