Paying for school, not failing an exam, making it to the deadline, and other 100500 misfortunes. No wonder one in four students has mental health problems. Here’s a brief look at mental health and why universities should think more about their students.

Student mental health has long been a topic non grata. The prevailing approach in universities was “if I can’t see it, it doesn’t exist. In the last few years, the situation has started to improve. Universities now recognize that students, especially first-year students, fall into a risk group and face psycho-emotional problems more often. The stress and pressure of upcoming exams begins as early as high school. It would seem that enrolling in university should bring peace of mind, but the opposite happens. New people, moving to campus, and different surroundings only add to the anxiety. A student’s already fragile emotional state tilts like the Tower of Pisa. Statistically, one in four students experience mental health problems. Most often they suffer from:

  • Depression;
  • Anxiety;
  • Insomnia;
  • Eating disorders;
  • Addictions;
  • Suicidal tendencies.

The pandemic has also taken its toll on students. The feeling of lost knowledge and time, the inability to return to full-time studies and forced isolation contributed to the development of various kinds of disorders in them. 80% reported that their mental state worsened during the period of the coronavirus.

The picture is sad, but it raises a legitimate question: should universities care about the mental health of students. Given that the psycho-emotional state is the personal responsibility of each individual, the answer is rather “no” – the university is not obliged to do anything. However, more and more universities are realizing how valuable their students’ mental health is. There are two reasons for this:

Reputation. Today’s university rankings include a “student satisfaction” item. Therefore, it is extremely important for a university to make students feel comfortable.

Academic performance. Another significant indicator for universities. Students who suffer from mental illness are more likely to drop out and fail exams, which negatively affects the university.

What can universities do to help?

Create special psychological help centers on campuses. They work now, but there is often not enough staff or time for everyone who needs it;
Provide the most comfortable and peaceful environment for studying;
To reduce the level of competition between students and the pressure due to academic performance;
Collaborate with youth organizations and foundations that address mental health;
Disseminate information about the university’s support centers. Often students don’t even know they exist.

Important: Mental health is not something to be taken lightly. If you are experiencing problems or feeling pressured, know that you can always ask for help.