Depression and anxiety are making life difficult for hundreds of thousands of UK students, a new survey has revealed.
A new YouGov survey of 1,061 UK students reveals that more than a quarter of students (27%) report having a mental health problem of one type or another. Female students are more likely to say they have mental health problems than males (34% versus 19%), and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students have a particularly high likelihood of mental health problems compared to their heterosexual counterparts (45% versus 22%).
Depression and anxiety are by far the most common reported mental health problems. Of those who suffer, 77% have depression-related problems, and 74% have anxiety related problems. It is common for students to be afflicted with both at once as 74% of students with an anxiety-related problem also have a depression-related one. These two issues dwarf all the rest, with eating disorders being the next most common at 14%, followed by behavioural or developmental issues at 5% and learning disabilities, also at 5%.
Day to day tasks difficult
For a significant proportion of students who report mental health issues, these problems can make even day-to-day tasks difficult. Nearly half (47%) say that that they have trouble completing some daily tasks and a further 4% say they cannot complete even simple tasks.
In May 2016, official statistics showed student suicides had risen to their highest level since numbers were first recorded in 2007.
UK Universities working hard to provide mental healthservices
There has been concern about the level of mental health support services provided by universities. Universities UK said institutions were working hard to develop good services that linked in with the NHS and the survey showed the students were broadly aware of the mental health services offered by their universities. Some 18% had already made contact with university mental health services, and, of those who had, nearly nine out of 10 had seen a counsellor.
Chief executive of Universities UK Nicola Dandridge said: "Universities take student mental health very seriously.
"For some students, an unfamiliar higher education environment can be stressful, particularly for those who already have an underlying illness.
"Some students are reluctant to disclose their difficulties, which can also present a challenge for universities seeking to support them.
"However, the development of policies and anti-stigma campaigns is now beginning to address both these issues.
"The challenge for universities is to build on the support services and external links that exist already, enabling referral to the NHS where necessary.
"It is important to remember that university wellbeing services, however excellent, cannot replace the specialised care that the NHS provides for students with mental illnesses."
Universities UK also said it had issued guidance to all universities last year with advice on dealing with students with mental health issues.
