Last week, we introduced the student crisis happening all across Europe. We’ll be diving into the different aspects of this crisis over the next couple of months. Our focus for today: student mental health.  

What do we mean by “student mental health”? 

The World Health Organization defines mental health as “a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realise their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community.”

Student mental health refers to the psychological well-being and emotional resilience of higher education students. It includes all the challenges and pressures students face while pursuing higher education. Academic stress, social isolation, personal issues, etc. can all impact mental health. 

In recent years, universities have experienced a surge in student anxiety, mental breakdowns and depression 👇

Some key stats about the situation in Europe 

• 20.3% of university students aged 18-22 years in 21 countries have a mental health disorder. 
• In England, 46% of students report their mental health and well-being have deteriorated since October 2022. 
• Just 12% of the English students think their university handles the issue of mental health well and 86% of current students say they have suffered from poor mental health at university.
• Young people are 30% to 80% more likely to report symptoms of depression or anxiety than adults in Belgium, France and the United States. 

How can we improve this issue? 

Here are some best practices institutions can implement to promote and support student well-being: 

• Provide accessible and confidential mental health counselling services on campus (individual sessions, group therapy, crisis intervention). Ensure that counsellors are well-trained and culturally sensitive.
• Conduct mental health awareness campaigns to reduce stigma and promote available resources.
• Incorporate mental health education into orientation programmes.
• Provide a 24/7 crisis hotline or chat service for students in immediate distress and communicate about it.
• Implement peer support programmes where trained students can provide support and referrals to their peers.
• Create a dedicated website or app with mental health resources, self-help tools and information on available services.
• Train faculty and staff to recognise signs of distress in students and encourage open communication between faculty and students. 
• Develop clear policies and procedures for addressing mental health crises and accommodations and ensure that students are aware of their rights and the support available to them.
• Create a welcoming and inclusive campus environment that fosters a sense of belonging.
• Run regular assessments to collect data on student mental health needs and satisfaction with support services.
• Ensure that mental health services and resources are accessible to students with disabilities.
• Strictly adhere to data privacy and confidentiality standards to build trust among students seeking help.

💡 Learn more on how to support student mental health in our guide “How to Support Student Mental Health and Well-Being in Higher Ed” and in our article “How to Prioritise Student Well-Being”.

Do you want to know more about the student crisis? 

📢 Join our webinar on November 20th at 11am GMT. Together with our partner the University of Birmingham, we’ll talk about how to address this crisis and best support students during challenging times. Register here.

💡 For more stats and resources on the topic, visit our website.