Students and mental health: What to do if you’re struggling at university

'Take time out to dabble in favourite hobbies, plan in advance in order to avoid that disorganised feeling, or just grab a few more hours of sleep'

(Time to Change)

University is meant to be the one of the greatest experiences in your life. A whirlwind journey of self-discovery, and before we even set foot in our chosen institutions, many students believe their stay in higher education will be stress-free for the most part. This, in itself, is a problem though, because much of the time, it isn’t. University for many young people across the country can be the greatest mental challenge they’ve ever faced.

A growing number of students across Britain are admitting they’re struggling. Findings in a Talk to Us survey carried out by the Samaritans charity recently revealed 41 per cent of 16 to 24-year-olds felt “overwhelmed.” It’s becoming clear society can no longer sweep the issue of mental health under the rug. Now is a better time than ever to destroy the stigma attached to not being “okay.”

Student life comes with a whole raft of new responsibilities. For many of us, university is the first time we’ve lived outside of the sheltered environment of our homes and away from the watchful gazes of our carers. The onus is on students to make their experience as worthwhile as possible. Students are left beaten and battered by imperatives: they have to get good grades, must maintain a social life, need to start thinking about potential career paths. Somewhere along the line, something’s got to give and many ‘hit the wall’. Be it the stress triggered by a looming assignment deadline, last-minute house hunting or financial issues, meltdowns are unavoidable.

RaW 1251AM supports Mind - a short film:

What’s most important, though, is that we don’t let those moments dictate our student experience. As the worries mount up, our immediate reaction is to retreat into a shell of self-pity. It’s lonely, and it’s hard, but the best way to combat depression is to speak to somebody. Be it a friend, a mentor or using one of the pastoral support networks based on campuses across the country.

Not everyone’s situation is the same, but we can all take small steps to improving our general mental health. These range from taking time out to dabble in favourite hobbies, planning in advance in order to avoid that disorganised sinking feeling, or just grabbing a few more hours of sleep. It’s easy to beat ourselves up about not making the most of our golden opportunities, about failing to keep on top of our academic workloads and society-based obligations - but we shouldn’t.

So, away from on-campus support bases, who can students in need turn to? There are a number of organisations, including the likes of Mind and the Samaritans who offer support and round-the-clock help and advice. This year at the University of Warwick, Mind was at the centre of two on-campus campaigns. RAG week, the annual Warwick-wide raising and giving spectacular, raised more than £2,000 for the charity.

They were also at the heart of a short film aimed at raising mental health awareness, created by the university’s student radio station, RaW 1251AM. Similar stands are being taken at universities across the country. Mental health is finally beginning to be spoken about in tones louder than a whisper. Encouraging signs that suggest young people are slowly, but surely, beginning to overcome the struggle to find their voices on an issue that affects more young people than you think.

If you've been affected by any of the issues in this article, please reach out to Samaritans and Mind for help and advice

Twitter: @ShingiMararike