08 Nov The Comedown Of a Fresher:
Between 2016/2017, an estimated 15,000 first year University students have claimed to have struggles with mental health. This presents a rapid increase in comparison to 2006 when approximately 3,000 have reported a mental health problem.
The topic of mental health has become more widely talked about, as depression rates are on the rise amongst young adults, it should come as no surprise that perhaps this is impacting University students at a time where their entire environment has changed.
When interviewing a London South Bank University Student, who has chosen to stay anonymous, she stated “I’ve struggled with mental health problems for a while and there have been nights where I break down and can’t breathe from crying. I have to cover my mouth so that my flatmates can’t hear me”.
With the incline of mental health disorders on the rise. It raises the question of what do Universities provide as support for those struggling? London South Bank University provides student services such as counselling, online services and the Samaritans phone number.
However, is this enough to reduce rates of mental health problems amongst students? The statement that the student gave me claimed that, “There are people you can make appointments with at the student centre and there is a number you can call. I know what I have available to me and trust me it is so worth making a call whether you’re just feeling down or you’re in a dark place.”
