University suicide epidemic; student mental health crisis – these terms are rarely far from the headlines. And the evidence that backs them up is concerning. An Institute for Public Policy Research report last year showed that five times as many students as 10 years ago are reporting mental health conditions to their universities, while student suicides have risen from 75 in 2007 to 134 in 2015. These figures do not make easy reading for parents sending their children off to university for the first time.
The rise in mental health problems is often attributed to the increasing pressure and stress associated with university, according to psychology PhD student Poppy Brown, who authored a report on improving student mental health for the Higher Education Policy Institute while studying for her undergraduate degree.
“It’s not quite how it used to be, when going to university was an achievement in itself,” she says. “Now you have to get a 2:1, and at top universities you have to get a first, and then you have to get a job immediately when you graduate. It’s not possible to take time off – you need to pay off all the debt.”
Although mental health problems like anxiety and depression are undoubtedly rising among university students, concerned parents should treat some of the media coverage with a degree of scepticism. It’s true that mental health tends to dip at university, but then it’s also the case that graduates report better mental health than their non-graduate peers. Rather than worry, parents can inform themselves on mental health issues so they can help signpost available resources if the need arises.
Ultimately, however, children have to learn independence and resilience by themselves, and the university years are an obvious time to start. Parents also need to learn to let go a little at this point. They can’t, for example, expect the university to disclose any information on how their offspring is doing. “It’s a case of parents learning how to be supportive in a non-judgmental, non-pressured way, which might be a different role to when children were younger and needed more active care,” says Brown.
Knowing that their child will have access to a wide range of mental health provision at their university should help allay any fears.
According to Peter Eldrid, the deputy head of counselling at Brunel University, students often have better access to support and facilities, via their university, than other members of the local community.
Most universities now have counselling services, alongside mental health and wellbeing advisers, many of whom are specialised in supporting students through the transition from school to university. Students’ unions are also on hand to help with basic life advice, from accommodation support to cooking advice and signposting university facilities.
Moving from school to university can make it difficult to look after general wellbeing, such as sleeping well, moderating alcohol use, and eating healthily. Equally, the shift in academic pressures and workload can be particularly stressful. Eldrid observes perennial themes among new students’ concerns: “Am I doing this right? Am I good enough? Am I going to be able to survive the course? Will my grades be OK? Will I make friends? Will I fit in? Will I be OK?”
Most institutions offer additional support for the transition, including mentoring schemes. “Mentors can help answer those things that students are often too embarrassed to ask us about,” says Eldrid. “If there are more serious issues, then they can help direct new students to where they can get help.”
For students with pre-existing mental health problems, one of the biggest challenges can be the transition from child and adolescent services in their home town to adult services in their university town. Louise Honey, programme development manager at the Student Minds charity, says students should give their home practice as much notice of their move as possible. They should also ensure they have enough of their medication (where applicable) to see them through even the bumpiest of transitions.
To put their minds at ease, students and parents can contact their future university in advance to explore their support options, whether counselling or NHS services, at any point. “Most universities would welcome contact from a parent or student in relation to what they might benefit from or need, including making any adjustment to ensure a student isn’t left wondering how to get help,” says Eldrid.
Mental health awareness at university
Find a mentor
Most universities have a mentoring or buddy scheme, pairing freshers with an older peer. They can help ease the transition from school to university, give advice on essential life skills, and signpost mental health support.
Talk to someone
As well as counselling services run by the NHS and in-house at universities, there are a number of helplines run by charities, including Mind, Nightline and Samaritans. You can contact any of these whenever you need to, however big or small you think your problem is.
Tell your doctor
If you have a pre-existing condition, flag up the move with your provider of mental health services, long before leaving for university, to ensure continuity of care. Explore the options in your new town – ringing your university or students’ union is a good place to start.
Turn to your tutor
If you’re struggling with your course, talk to your tutor. Increasingly, many will have received mental health training; even if not, they’re your first point of contact.
In the UK, Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123, or by emailing jo@samaritans.org. You can contact the mental health charity Mind by calling 0300 123 3393
