University students grapple with mental health challenges

A survey of 1,000 current and former university students has revealed the growing toll of mental health issues during higher education, with four in 10 reporting they often or always felt worried while studying.

Concerns ranged from fear of failure and struggling to fit in with peers to the daunting challenge of planning their future after graduation.

Even more worryingly, over half of those surveyed admitted to moments of questioning their future in education, including whether to continue their course.

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Anxiety levels were found to peak during the first and third years of university, with the second term identified as the most challenging period of the academic year.

Dr. Naveen Puri, Medical Director for Bupa, explained: “”Joining university comes with a lot of worries and fears. But often, it’s not until a little later on that these start to show, once the fun and excitement of term one has worn off and the hard work of term two begins.

“Many think students have it easy – and say it is the best time of your life – but it can be a very stressful and worrying time for those who may be feeling anxious about how to deal with their course, manage finances or simply be away from home.”

The research, carried out by Bupa to help promote its health subscription service, highlighted worrying statistics. Nearly a quarter of students said they often or always felt depressed during their studies, while half revealed the reality of how difficult their degree would be had a negative impact on their mental health.

Stress and anxiety manifested in clear behavioural changes, with 39 per cent of students admitting to turning to junk food and 34 per cent skipping lectures while others avoided social situations or missed deadlines altogether.

For some students, the academic, social, and financial pressures they face can overwhelm them entirely. Second-year Birmingham City University student, Kali Kuszyk-Whittall, shared how her first-year workload became so intense it triggered up to 10 panic attacks a day.

Kali originally enjoyed her university experience but by the second term, the mounting pressures of balancing academic work with a part-time job became unmanageable.

“There was an initial excitement with starting uni,” Kali said. “At the very beginning, it was exciting and new. I was living with friends I already knew from school, which was great.

“But as the term went on, I struggled to stay on top of my work. There was pressure to feel like I knew everything in all my modules when I didn’t.”

For Kali, who had previously struggled with depression, the intense stress of her first year quickly spiralled into daily panic attacks. She sought help from her GP and a university therapist, who each provided her with 10 counselling sessions.

Alongside professional intervention, Kali developed coping mechanisms such as running cold water over her wrists, taking regular walks, and watching TV to ease her anxiety. A year on, she describes herself as being in a “better” place.

“It’s definitely not perfect, but it’s manageable, and I’m getting back to being okay,” she said. Now, Kali is able to attend lectures for a few hours a day and feels more in control of her studies.

The study found that almost a third of students didn’t know where to seek help for their mental health struggles. Barriers included fear of overreacting, worries about not being taken seriously, and a lack of time.

Dr. Puri emphasised the importance of accessible support for students, saying: “For many students, taking the step to speak to a medical professional over a physical or mental health issue can be daunting, especially for those who may be used to their parents taking care of this for them.

“But it’s important to ensure students have the healthcare support they need as they navigate their studies.”