Explains how you can look after your mental health as a student, giving practical suggestions for what you can do and where you can go for support.
This guide aims to support you during your time as a student and provides useful tips and guidance, whether you are experiencing mental health problems or have done in the past, or whether you would just like more information on how to keep yourself healthy and well in your new student life.
Studying is likely to bring a number of changes to your life. It can be enjoyable and interesting, but it can also be challenging.
You might face challenges such as:
"When I began university I'd been struggling with my mental health for years but had not got help, and starting university in a new city kick-started my path to diagnosis and recovery."
Coping with new challenges can have an impact on your mental health, but there are lots of things that you can do to make your time as a student easier and more enjoyable.
Students are at higher risk of developing mental health problems with research showing many people first experience mental health problems or first seek help when they are at university.
Some of the specific things that, as a student, make you more susceptible to mental health problems include:
You may already be living with an existing mental health problem and be receiving help and support for this. As you transition to life as a student you may find that your support changes location or you transition from CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) to adult services.
It is important to continue your support if needed and become familiar with what this will look like for you as a student.
Stressed about exams? We have info for young people to help you cope with exam stress at school or college
"I was sat in a hot, sweaty lecture theatre when suddenly I felt like I needed to escape."
According to recent research, 1 in 5 students has a diagnosed mental health problem. The following mental health problems are the most common among students.
See also our A-Z of mental health where you can find out more about mental health problems, as well as a range of other relevant topics.
Anxiety disorders are one of the most commonly diagnosed mental health problems among students.
Anxiety is what we feel when we are worried, tense or afraid – particularly about things that are about to happen, or which we think could happen in the future. Anxiety can become a mental health problem if it impacts on your ability to live your life as fully as you want to.
See our pages on anxiety for more information.
Depression is the most commonly diagnosed mental health problem among students. Depression is a low mood that lasts for a long time, and affects your everyday life.
See our pages on depression for more information.
Incidents of suicide at universities are more highly reported than in the general population. Suicide can have a significant impact on university communities.
Suicidal feelings can mean having abstract thoughts about ending your life, or feeling that people would be better off without you. Or it can mean thinking about methods of suicide or making clear plans to take your own life.
See our pages on suicidal feelings for more information.
This information was published in September 2018.
This page is currently under review. All content was accurate when published.
References and bibliography available on request.
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