University Mental Health Day is the biggest day of the year for student mental health, bringing together the university community to make mental health a university – wide priority, to create ongoing change to the future of student mental health.
This year’s university mental health day is all about using the power of your voice. We all have mental health and therefore we all have stories to share.
Mental Health Increase
In 2017 it was reported that almost five times as many students as 10 years ago reported a mental health problem to their university. In 2015-16, more than 15,000 UK-based first-year students disclosed mental health issues, Institute of Public Policy Research analysis suggests.
A YouGov survey found that female students are more likely to say they have a mental health problem compared to males (34% vs 19%) and LGBT students have a particularly high likelihood of mental health problems compared to their heterosexual counterparts (45% vs 22%).
For a significant proportion of students who report mental health problems, these problems can make completing day-to-day tasks difficult and their fore impact on their daily lives and of course their studies.
Conditions
Depression and anxiety are by far the most reported conditions. Of those who suffer 77% have a depression related condition and 74% have anxiety related problems. Compounding the problem is the fact that it is very common for students to suffer with both conditions at the same time. The next reported condition in terms of prevalence is eating disorders at 14%.
Getting Help
Fortunately, most students are aware help is available at their universities and know how to access it.
Universities have a dedicated mental health support service which is sometimes called a wellbeing service. Most universities also have a counselling service and may offer Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and practical advice and problem solving. Where necessary, the team can refer you to external support services.
Each university will have different support options available but may include:
- Daily drop in sessions
- Coping Mechanisms and Exam Nerves Sessions
- Night-time support
- Stress Management Workshops
- Online therapy
To get involved https://www.unimentalhealthday.co.uk/ and to find events near you, please use this interactive map: https://www.unimentalhealthday.co.uk/events.html
