Students more at risk of mental health problems

Students across the country are becoming increasingly susceptible to mental health problems as the pressures of rising debt and scarce job opportunities take there toll, experts have warned.

A report released by the Royal College of Psychiatrists last week raised concerns mental health support services at universities throughout the UK could bare an undue share of higher education cuts at a time when students are struggling to adapt to life away from home.

Student leaders urged the Scottish Government to ring-fence investment in an effort to prevent growing numbers suffering under the strain of university life.

Dr John Callender, a consultant psychiatrist with NHS Grampian and chair of the working group behind the report, attributed the greater risk of anxiety and depression among today's current horde of students in part to the demands of outside work taking time away from academic studies.

He added: "The demand for counselling and mental health services continues to rise. Although there are some excellent support services for students across the country, in many universities provision has not kept pace with expanding student numbers, leaving existing services overstretched."

In the wake of the report, National Union of Scotland (NUS) depute president, Graeme Kirkpatrick, praised promises made in last month's spending review, albeit against the backdrop of growing calls for an investment boost.

He said: "This report shows that student mental health must be a key priority for government, universities and colleges. With concerted action we can ensure that we do our best to ensure studying at college and university is the positive life changing experience that it should be.

"The Scottish Government proposed minimum £7,000 income will go some way in addressing the financial stresses for some students, but more needs to be done to ensure students get the wider support they need, especially at a time of cuts in colleges in particular.

"NUS Scotland's mental health project, Think Positive, has been working with students' associations to address this issue in a number of ways including providing Mental Health First Aid training to students to recognise the early signs of mental ill health on campus."