Although the terms 'lockdown', 'furlough' and 'Covid-19' have become staples in our vocabulary throughout the past year, the attitude and support towards student mental health remains stuck in 2020. For many up-and-coming and current university students the pandemic has not only caused a drastic change to the glorified 'university experience', with clubs and pubs closed and all in-person teaching cancelled, but has also destabilised an already pivotal point in a young persons development into adulthood. As a university student myself whose first year was cut short in March 2020, the need for mental health support and services hits close to home.
A research study conducted by Young Minds that surveyed a range of students from school-age to university highlighted how "80% of respondents agreed that the coronavirus pandemic had made their mental health worse." and reported that 31% said they still needed support but were no longer able to access it.
It is clear that even though there has been increasing awareness of student mental health throughout the pandemic, largely due to the larger network of social media, there is still a need for continued investment into funding services that have been previously neglected in order to provide the support that students not only deserve, but need. In short, raising awareness means nothing if we cannot turn these words into positive and effective actions.
However, despite the negative statistics the appointment of Dr Alex, whose platform came from his success in Love Island 2018, as Youth Mental Health Ambassador by Boris Johnson is a huge step forward. Since the loss of his brother to suicide in July 2020, his campaigning for the importance of increased mental health support and this unpaid role allows him to work directly with the Department of Education, "using his clinical expertise and personal experience to champion government's work on children's mental health."
In a recent interview Alex states how:
"I think we do need to develop a clear plan about how we support university students. A lot of people feel understandably aggrieved spending all this money to go to university but not having lectures face-to-face. They’re spending money on accommodation that they’re just stuck in the whole time. It’s not the experience that they’re expecting. I think we just need to think about that and what we can do to support them moving forward."
The realities of being a student in a pandemic is tough. However, there is evidence that there has been continuous development in virtual services and support that has been building throughout the academic year within individual universities. If you are a university student reading this, I encourage you to use the services provided if you are in need. No one deserves to suffer in silence. Put you and your mental health first.
Ben West's campaign to include mental health support in university league tables, which aims to combat the "blatant and obvious neglect of the importance of student mental health at universities nationwide" and hold universities accountable, is one in many other petitions and campaigns for recognition of the importance of student mental health.
From my perspective 2020 was a huge turning point that wasn't necessarily all bad, hopefully forcing universities to confront their lacking and (somehow always?) slightly confusing mental health services, and make changes for a brighter future.
To all students (and to anyone who needs to hear this): You've got this.
If you would like to support West's campaign sign the petition below:
Other mental health charities include:
Here is a comprehensive NHS list of UK charities and mental health initiatives:
Previous websites mentioned within the post: