14th December 2012 9:00
By Blue Tutors
The Royal College of Psychiatrists has recently published a report into the mental health of students in the UK. The report found that there are serious concerns over student welfare, after the number of student suicides has risen by nearly 50% in the last five years. The demand for mental health and welfare services in schools and universities have greatly increased and, according to the report, 29% of students in the UK are suffering from clinical levels of psychological distress.
The report emphasised the impact of current financial pressure facing students, including the loss of EMA and the sharp rise in tuition fees as contributing factors. Students are feeling an increasing amount of pressure to do well, and often do not know where to go if they need help.
The report advised that greater collaboration between different welfare services was necessary as well as campaigns to ensure that students know that help is there for them should they need it. Particularly concerning is that fact that student welfare officers and university welfare personnel rarely have much contact, something which has to change in order to provide a coordinated service.