A shocking new study into the mental and emotional health of students has revealed that as many as one in five students suffers from some form of psychological ill health, but most of them shun any university counselling they are offered.
Universities are now being told that they must do more to protect the wellness and mental wellbeing of their students, and encourage them to seek help when they require it. Leading student protection organisation, the National Union of Students (NUS), which carried out the study, claims that of those who suffer from mental health problems during their time at university, over a quarter (26 percent) do not seek any treatment whatsoever. An even lower percentage (just one in ten) use any counselling service that is provided by their chosen university.
Although the level of mental illness is in line with the national average of 23 percent suffering from a disorder at any one time, the rate at which they look for or accept help is decidedly low, which has a long term negative impact on their emotional wellbeing.
The first year of university is the most common time to experience problems, with many young people being away from home for the first time, and often getting used to different surroundings and modes of work. Around 65 percent of those who suffer from a mental health problem during this first year cite coursework deadlines as the main trigger for their stress, while 54 percent also claim that exams have been the reason for their mental decline. Financial difficulties are also mentioned by 47 percent, and a further 27 percent feel that their stress originates from a pressure to ‘fit in’. Finally, 22 percent of students say that suffering from homesickness has contributed to their stress levels and led to their mental health problem.
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