Leaving school can be a difficult time for many students, as they struggle to create new friendships and become more independent.
In fact, according to recent research, four in ten students said their mental health deteriorated after they started university, and half face emotional challenges either every day or at least once a week.
The proportion of school-leavers who do not believe they have mental health difficulties is less than a quarter, showing just how many are finding it difficult to cope with their wellbeing at university.
So, why do so many teens find this period of their life difficult?
Financial worries
Worrying about money was found to be a big factor for students, according to the Cibyl Mental Health Study.
More than seven in ten students claimed trying to make their finances stretch has meant their mental health has declined.
One student noted: “[The] cost of living is too high to go outside and socialise often, so I just have to stay back home alone.”
Even those who have left university and are embarking on starting their career worry about money. In fact, 79 per cent of graduates who had a low mental health score revealed they panic about their finances daily or weekly.
Worrying about jobs
Although university is meant to be a fun experience, more than half (57 per cent) of students spend their time worrying about whether they will be able to find a job when they leave.
This exacerbates their concerns about their finances, as, now they have become financially independent, they rely on their income.
Loneliness
Many students feel lonely when they go to university, particularly if they are living away from home for the first time.
Almost three-quarters of students claimed they have felt isolated in the last 12 months.
This can often lead to a catch-22 situation, as those with a poor mental health score found it harder to make good friends.
Therefore, those who are already feeling low are more likely to suffer from loneliness, as they lack a thriving social life and close connections.
Although many people believe they should find their life-long friends at university, 20 per cent of students admitted they do not have any pals.
Lack of support
Having adequate support is essential for those wanting to improve their mental health, whether they embark on a course of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), seek therapy from a counsellor, or join a community group with people going through the same thing.
This is so important to students these days that 58 per cent said mental health provision played a part in where they chose to go to university, rising from 45 per cent the year before.
LGBTQ+ challenges
The transition into adulthood is when teenagers discover who they really are, which is why it can often be a challenging time for those in the LGBTQ+ communities.
According to the report, a huge 94 per cent of LGBTQ+ students have suffered from mental health problems.
This community has to face discrimination, social isolation, homophobia, transphobia, being rejected, and difficult, even traumatising, coming out experiences.
That is why the Mental Health Foundation noted that depression, self-harm, drug abused, alcoholism, and suicidal thoughts are more prevalent among LGBTQ+ people.
In fact, as many as one in eight aged between 18 and 24 have attempted suicide, and nearly half of transpeople have been suicidal.
