An extensive survey was done in March 2019 which looked into the mental health of university students, The survey found that one in five students suffered from a mental health issue with depression and anxiety being the most common. According to the findings, 1 in 3 students had unfortunately experienced an issue in which they required professional help. I Centre for Journalism student, Victory Onifade am going to be diving into the accuracy of these statistics and looking into how students have been coping with their mental health.
In interviewing and gathering data from students around me I have discovered that many students are going through a difficult time as the pandemic has increased their loneliness as there has been less space for people socialising together in public due to Covid-19 restrictions. This pandemic has made it much harder for students to grasp the full university opportunity.
In interviewing these people from these statistics I can see it is more common for them to know someone suffering from a mental illness.
70% said they would prefer to speak to someone they know in contrast to a professional. A few people I asked why gave me a similar response that they "feel much more comfortable discussing things with someone I know than a stranger as it is difficult for them to open up to people. "
I also asked if these students how University has had an impact on their mental health and 60% of students said yes in contrast to 20% saying no and a further 20% being stuck in the middle.
I then questioned if the thought of dropping out of University entered anyone's minds and 50% of people said no, along with 20% saying maybe and 30% said yes. In asking students who said yes their reasonings were related to " not receiving the true university experience along with feeling mislead of the first-year university experience will be like. Unsurprisingly, expectations weren't met as the social and extracurricular opportunities were not available.
However, Although students have been going through a difficult period there have been things in place to truly help students in the best way possible such as available talking therapies, DSA (Disabled Students’ Allowance) and relaxed deadlines for students during difficult times providing students who needed support, and encouragement for them to continue with their studies. A student I interviewed that would prefer to stay anonymous was looking into dropping out stayed with the help of the university support. " Getting into the routine of everything was really difficult for me and I didn't know if i'd be able to cope with this academic change along with all the stresses happening at home but I am grateful that the right help was there for me at the time I needed it"
Helping those in need
I interview a student who had her own experiences with her mental health and Is now helping others is Kayla Parke, A Forensic psychology student at the University of Kent. Kayla founded Kay's Mental Health Care Packages in February 2021 after experiencing her own mental health crisis and due to the adverse effects, the pandemic has had on people's mental health.
Kayla Parke is extremely dedicated to helping those undergoing mental illness and has started a business in which she produces care packages for people in need. This idea and business are special as it makes someone feel acknowledged and cared for.
The Packages cater to those who order them and she really looks into people mental health backgrounds and uplifts peoples spirits with the time, care and effort she put into them. Being someone who can empathise with those struggling Parke makes sure to also include Mental health self-help books, as well as self-harm aid, letters and goodies so those in need can really benefit. The package range from mini, small, medium and Large which helps people of various financial ground benefit.
Kayla has been making great sales with this business and she feels "these packages are unique and because I am a young adult I really know how to produce packages that suit my recipients who are also a similar age as me even though anyone of any age can purchase one."
There are being changes and businesses made to really help people not just university students but everyone struggling. With more support and kind-hearted people around the world will be a better place where mental health is taken seriously and students will feel more supported and hopefully more mentally healthy people through speaking up and getting adequate help that is out there. Suffering from a mental illness can get really dark and unfortunate so in the future I really hope for a system where students feel healthier and more able to speak out.
Support Links :
Student Minds – Corona-related support for students.
Website: https://www.studentminds.org.uk
Anxiety UK – Support for those diagnosed with anxiety
Helpline: 03444 775 774
Text service: 07537 416 905
Website: https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/
Mental Health Foundation – Support and info on mental health problems
Website: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/
Samaritans – Support for those experiencing feelings of despair or depression
Phone: 116 123 (free 24-hour helpline)
Website: https://www.samaritans.org/
YoungMinds – Information on child and adolescent mental health
Phone: Parent’s helpline – 0808 802 5544
Young adults: Text YM to 85258
Website: youngminds.org.uk
Comentarios