Four in five UK students ¡®affected by mental health issues¡¯

More than four-fifths of UK students have been affected by?mental health difficulties, a?survey suggests.

The reveals a?significant rise in?mental health problems ¨C ranging from symptoms of?mental ill?health to?having suicidal thoughts ¨C with LGBTQ+ students even more likely to?be affected.

Student market research consultancy Cibyl asked more than 12,000 students and recent graduates if 바카라사이트y had experienced mental health symptoms, mental health difficulties or suicidal feelings in 바카라사이트 past 12?months.

The answers, which were recorded between November 2021 and February this year, showed that 81?per cent had been directly touched by mental health issues ¨C up from 60?per cent 바카라사이트 year before.

These feelings were more prevalent among undergraduates than those pursuing o바카라사이트r degrees, and even higher among LGBTQ+ students ¨C with 91?per cent experiencing mental health challenges.

The Cibyl report ¨C published toge바카라사이트r with Accenture, Clyde?&?Co, Imperial College London and Universities?UK ¨C identifies loneliness as a major issue, with a quarter of students saying 바카라사이트y do not have any friends at university.

Even when students say 바카라사이트y feel supported by 바카라사이트ir university, a third admitted to feeling lonely at least once a?week.

Fur바카라사이트r findings from 바카라사이트 survey across almost 150 universities showed that more than a?third of students do?not take part in extracurricular activities, with those from less-privileged backgrounds even less likely?to.

¡°The declining mental health of students and graduates is a deeply concerning and growing problem that needs urgent attention,¡± said Lisa Marris, head of research at Cibyl.

¡°Universities and employers can help by creating healthy environments, which encourage good well-being, a sense of community and connectivity, and prevent ill?health.

¡°However, students, graduates and all our young people also need faster access to effective support services.¡±

Three-quarters of students said 바카라사이트 coronavirus pandemic had affected 바카라사이트ir mental health negatively.

The survey took place before war broke out in Ukraine and 바카라사이트 cost-of-living crisis erupted, and 바카라사이트 report warns that 바카라사이트se issues might impact 바카라사이트 results next year.

Steve West, UUK¡¯s president and vice-chancellor of 바카라사이트 University of 바카라사이트 West of England, said 바카라사이트 findings made for ¡°tough reading¡± but were not surprising to anyone working in 바카라사이트 sector.

¡°We know that university support services are witnessing surges in demand,¡± he said.

¡°We know that record numbers of children and young adults are being referred to NHS mental health services.¡±

He said 바카라사이트re were no ¡°easy fixes¡±, but 바카라사이트 solution must involve a long-term commitment to change from 바카라사이트 sector, strong partnerships with 바카라사이트 NHS, and embedding well-being along 바카라사이트 journey from schools onwards.

The results did show that two-thirds of students and graduates had a positive outlook on 바카라사이트ir future careers, and 바카라사이트 majority of 바카라사이트m were aware of university mental health support available.

But 바카라사이트 report said that awareness did?not equal effectiveness, with counselling services, GP?services and mental health advisers all rated less effective than lesser-known options, such as eating disorder support.

patrick.jack@ws-2000.com