The rise of mental health problems among students in the past 12 months has coincided with the cost-of-living crisis. According to a report by the Policy Institute at King’s College London and TASO, the share of undergraduate students in the UK with mental health difficulties rose from 6 to 16 percent between 2016/2017 and 2022/2023 academic years. This means that one in six students now report mental health challenges.
The report draws on a dataset of 82,682 respondents over seven years and reveals that mental health is the most common reason for students to consider dropping out of university. Financial distress is another reason cited, with the percentage rising from 3.5 to 8 percent between 2022 and 2023.
The analysis also highlights the negative impact of the pandemic on young people. A recent report by Save the Children and other experts suggests that the UK government failed to consider children’s rights and interests during the pandemic, leading to preventable harm. After experiencing significant disruption to their learning, schoolchildren went on to take their A-level exams and apply for university courses.
While COVID-19 and financial pressures have worsened mental health challenges for students, other factors such as gender, sexual orientation, family background, ethnicity, and income also play a role. Students who rely on loans, grants, or paid work for their finances are more likely to have mental health problems than those on scholarships or with family support. State school graduates are worse off in terms of mental health compared to their peers from private schools.
The study also reveals the unequal experiences of mental ill-health among students. Those from disadvantaged backgrounds or who face discrimination are most likely to report struggles with their mental health. Gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, and asexual individuals are experiencing higher rates of mental health difficulties compared to straight people. Female students are more affected by poor mental health than male students.
The findings emphasize the need for further action and adequate resources to address the rising trend of mental health problems among students in the UK. The Department of Health and Social Care has announced funding to expand children and young people’s mental health services, and the government has plans for a major conditions strategy that includes mental health.