Student access to mental health support lacking, think-tanks says

A report by the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) has warned that universities are struggling to cope with rising demand for mental health services for students.

It highlighted that some universities needed treble the amount of money they currently have earmarked for mental health support, in order to provide enough provision.

The report cited that one in 10 students have a ‘diagnosable mental illness’ and has called for more support for students suffering from depression, anxiety and loneliness.

The think-tank suggested that students should be allowed to be simultaneously registered with a GP both at their parental home and at a university.

The report author, Poppy Brown, from Oxford University, explained: “The scale of the problem is bigger than ever before. Yet support is hard to access, universities often underfund their counselling services, and the NHS does not recognise how vulnerable students are. In particular, there is often no consistent care between term-time and holidays. We need to tackle these problems.”

Nick Hillman, director of the HEPI, said: “Mental disorders are most common in young adults, just at the age when many people become students. Going to university can be stressful, especially for first-in-family students. Typically, you lose your established support networks, move to a new part of the country and take on large debts. Occasionally, it even ends in tragedy.

“We must do more if we are to meet demand. Students should be able to register with one doctor at home and one doctor at university to ensure continuity of care. Universities should adopt mental health Action Plans, provide mental health training for staff and boost spending on counselling – currently, a single star academic can cost more than a university’s entire counselling service.

“Freshers can help themselves too, by talking to older students about university life, finding out what support services are on offer early and becoming involved in clubs and societies.”