The invisible problem? Improving students’ mental health

Rising living costs are a source of anxiety for students as
maintenance loans often cover the costs of accommodation
only, leaving little for other essentials. One recent poll found
that the average student spends 58 per cent of their student
loan within the first 100 days of university. 40
A UK-wide survey of students by the NUS found 63 per cent
of respondents worried about their finances very often and 33
per cent were considering work that may affect their wellbeing,
such as night shifts. Moreover, 38 per cent of Scottish students
reported in the survey that they felt their mental health was
being affected by financial concerns. 41 As Scottish students do
not pay fees, this suggests even without increased debt from
fees, students are financially strained.
A new UPP report on student experiences finds that 73 per cent
of 558 respondents listed financial difficulties as a factor that
makes university life hard to cope with, coming second only to
the stress of studying by a single per cent. 42
Students on abeyance are particularly vulnerable to financial
strain. They do not receive financial support because they are
not active students, yet also cannot receive benefits because
they are still counted as a student. Consequently, unless they
have a supportive family, the recovery of suspended students
can be jeopardised by financial stress.
The transient lifestyle of students
Being a student often means a transient lifestyle, living at home
for half the year and at university for the other half. Students
spend over 25 weeks of the year away from their mental health
support – whether at home or university – including their
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