A recent analysis has uncovered a significant and concerning trend in the mental health of university students in the UK. The study, conducted by the Policy Institute at King’s College London and the Centre for Transforming Access and Student Outcomes in Higher Education (TASO), has revealed a near-tripling of reported mental health problems among undergraduate students over the past six years.
Key findings from the analysis include:
The percentage of undergraduate students who reported experiencing mental health problems increased from 6% to 16% over the last six years.
A substantial portion of this increase occurred within the past 12 months, coinciding with the worsening cost of living crisis.
Poor mental health has become the most common reason for students considering dropping out.
The proportion of students contemplating quitting due to financial distress has risen from 3.5% to 8% between 2022 and 2023.
Dr. Omar Khan, the CEO of TASO, emphasized the report’s spotlight on the persistent and widespread mental health challenges confronting students. The findings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive efforts to understand and address these challenges, with a particular focus on improving mental health outcomes for all students within the higher education sector.
