According to an experimental ONS survey, more than one-third of new students starting university in England have shown symptoms of depression and anxiety.
When asked how they felt over the previous two weeks, 37 per cent of first years showed “moderate to severe symptoms of depression”, while 39 per cent of respondents showed signs of “likely having some form of anxiety”, according to a survey by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Unsurprisingly, over one-third of new students (38 per cent) said they felt unprepared for University study, because of the loss of face-to-face learning during the Covid pandemic.
However, on a more encouraging note, 43 per cent of them said that they felt their mental health had got “much or slightly better” since the beginning of the autumn term, indicating that the return to at least partial face-to-face teaching and to more social activities may have had some positive impact.
The ONS emphasised that the statistics were “experimental”, based on a sample of 2,000 first year and foundation students attending English universities. The students were invited to contribute via email.
The survey also questioned students about their preferences around face to face and online learning – with 40 per cent saying that they wanted face to face only, more than half preferring a mix of face to face and online, and a small minority of just five per cent wanting online-only lessons.
When asked about their preferences for mental health and wellbeing support, first year students indicated a clear preference for face-to-face support – with 70% reporting they would prefer this and only 13% saying they would prefer a virtual format.
If you are a young person looking for mental health and wellbeing support, find sources of local help in West Sussex on this website.
