Going to university for most students is a life-changing experience, teenagers become adults and enjoy their new lives on their own, usually living away from families and in a completely different city.

This is clearly a hard choice to make as young adults but a great choice nonetheless to grasp hold of many new opportunities and have the chance to flourish as a member of society. Although some students may begin to feel homesick but cure this with a quick call home or visit over the weekend, Mind charity said, “one in four students have a mental health illness”, making it far harder to cope with struggles of daily student life.

For Marcia Pearson, how she feels day to day all depends on her mental illness. “A normal day with these illness is fairly unpredictable. Some days can defiantly be worse than others. Some days I can be absolutely fine, happy and calm, then others I can be a nervous wreck, feeling panicked in classes, or just upset and down.”

Marcia, 19 from Bradford, who started attending York St. John University in September 2018, talked about her battle with depression and anxiety especially since starting university.

“Usually when I have one of my worse days, one thing happens which knocks me down for the day. Or, a negative thought can just be stuck in my mind that I can’t get past, which puts me in a bad mindset for the entire day, until I go to sleep.”

Universities are currently facing an “overwhelming” rise in mental illness in students. The Institute of Public Policy Research analysis suggests that in 2015-2016′ more than 15,000 UK-based first-year students disclosed mental health issues. Separate figures from the IPPR analysis record 1,180 students with mental health problems dropped out of university in 2015, with Universities UK calling student mental health “a strategic priority.”

With these statics, it’s no wonder universities are feeling the pressure to provide mental health services for their students, especially when the students want help but don’t know where to go.

Although, some universities are moving forward in providing help for their students who suffer from mental health problems.

Sophie Davis who is studying Psychology at Sheffield Hallam university, moved in at the start of September 2018. Originally from Harrogate, the eighteen-year-old was diagnosed with depression and anxiety but hadn’t ever taken medication for it until she started university as her mental health deteriorated. 

“A normal day with this illness is extremely draining as I lack motivation and am constantly tired as I struggle with sleep. Also, very stressful due to the amount of people around and everything going on.” People with anxiety tend to struggle with social situations and are easily overwhelmed by volumes of people or their surroundings.

According to Anxiety UK: “Although avoiding an anxiety provoking situation produces immediate relief from the anxiety, it is only a short-term solution.”

This is a problem when at university because students must attend lectures, seminars and group projects. If someone suffers with anxiety they could avoid attending and could fall behind on their course, adding to stress leading to more anxiety.

Sophie said: “All the socialising has caused me a lot of anxiety as I struggle to talk to new people. Also assignments and reading has heightened my level of anxiety. Since being at university, my mental health has worsened.”

Unlike Marcia, Sophie feels that even though her anxiety has worsened since starting university, that uni has put in precautions to her schedule to help her cope with her anxiety. “They have put in place adjustments to help my learning easier and less stressful such as extended deadlines, individual exam rooms, mental health support worker who I meet each week and much more.”

This is a clear example of a university trying to help its students to better their mental health and make things more manageable. 

Sophie recommended one way in which she thinks universities can help other students cope with the management of their mental health and uni work: “Meet and greet sessions with a small number of other students who are struggling to socialise would be helpful to support each other in a safe environment.”

The Guardian said; “Our annual Student Experience survey shows that almost nine in 10 (87%) of first year students find it difficult to cope with social or academic aspects of university life.” First year student Marcia felt that the different deadline dates, combined with other aspects of university life such as managing finances and living on your own have made her feel overwhelmed and extremely anxious.

“I feel as though uni needs to have more exposure of the mental health services that they provide. If I hadn’t had been brave enough to speak up about my illness, I wouldn’t have found out that there is help there if I need it.”, Marica said.

Some ways in which universities can help students begin to better their mental health, given by the Independent is: “Universities need to reinforce healthy behaviours in words and in practice. So while universities might offer advice on sleep, nutrition, physical activity, stress management and coping strategies, they can also help students to act on this advice.”

‘Student Minds’ is looking to “transform the state of student mental health so that all in higher education can thrive.” The charity is working with students and members of the university community to help people like Marcia and Sophie to spread the word about mental health issues and where students can get help.

“We train students and staff in universities across the UK to deliver student-led peer support interventions as well as research-driven workshops and campaigns,” said Student Minds. This is an example of the help universities need to provide to ensure their students are mentally healthy and by making these changes, universities will begin to feel less under pressure with the declining state of student mental health, according to The Guardian.