UCAS Advice

Mental Health for university students has been a well-known issue so universities have created different ways of supporting students. The UCAS website has a section on Mental Health and Wellbeing, all the ways the university will help and support its students.

• Wellbeing service team - they may go under a different name than this at the different universities, but they will offer services and explain how to contact them (this can be done before starting at university. They provide general well-being to help with any mental health issues.
• Mental Health advisers - They often have specialist advisers who are dedicated to helping with mental health issues. This is not limited to those with diagnosed conditions, they are available to anyone that asks.
• Counseling services - Most universities have counseling services available for students who need emotional support. You can find out what's available through the student services or student union.
• Medical support - Most campuses have an on-site medical center where they are able to go and receive help and support. You can also go to your GP where they can give you support and help.
• Tools and Resources - Things like wellbeing apps, tools, and helplines. They are for the students to get help easily.
• Specific Mental Health Support - They might have available things like neurodiversity mentoring, learning difficulty support, mental health adviser, and disability adviser.

https://www.ucas.com/money-and-student-life/student-life/mental-health-and-wellbeing/mental-health-and-wellbeing-university-support

Meath Health University Students Statistics

Student Problems

• 51% reported the onset of mental illness before they attended college, with the rest having the illness start during college
• Common problems included depression, eating disorders, self-harm, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
• 47% of students reported at least one mental health concern.
• Experienced by university students include anxiety, depression, and psychotic disorders.
• The level of distress is very high with 83% of students being moderately or severely distressed.
• The effect of emotional distress includes poor grades (19%), academic probation leading to depression (9%), decreased emotional and behavioural skills (53%), social isolation (31%), conflict, and inadequate finances.

Megivern et al. (A group of researchers including Deborah Megivern)

• Almost two-thirds of Megivern et al.'s participants (63%) dropped out and returned to college at least three times and 90% had not sought campus-based support services.
• Megivern et al. also reported that 38% of students said they had cut down on the amount of time spent on studies because of emotional problems.