Dealing with mental health issues

by Ishita Bahadur and Penny Bhogal

The number of students dealing with mental health issues has risen more than five times in 10 years, according to a UK statistics agency.

The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) reported that in the academic year 1999/2000, the number of students recorded to have a mental health disability was 860. In the 2009/2010 statistics, this figure has increased to 4,770.

According to Paul Burstow, minister of state for care services, one in four people will suffer a mental health issue during their lives.

Students are more likely to develop such problems due to the high stress levels experienced during studies and exams. Often a feeling of being anxious or depressed can interfere with university work.

Symptoms of mental health issues may include:

• Weight loss or gain
• Often irritated or withdrawn
• Poor attendance at lectures
• Lack of interest in appearance and hygiene

Common mental health issues

Depression

The loss of interest in life, due to feeling low for weeks or months. This can be displayed by a lack of appetite, a loss of interest in studies, insomnia or disturbance of nocturnal sleeping pattern and increasingly anti-social behaviour.

Eating disorders

Anorexia and bulimia are the most common eating disorders, especially among women. Both could end fatally and will lead to severe physical and mental health issues, including brittle bones, discolouring of teeth, depression, irritation and fatigue.

Schizophrenia

This is common in both men and women. Excessive use of marijuana has been linked to the triggering of schizophrenia, especially when there is a history of mental health issues within the family.

Excessive drink and drugs

Many students get caught up with living independently away from home for the first time. Often the stress or freedom associated with university means that drink and drugs become accessible. Various people, not just those studying, say that drink and drugs help them to escape from their everyday life, but this does not help in the long term. The effects can cause irreversible damage to the liver, kidneys and have a negative result on your mind. Extensive tests have been conducted on drug-use and show that prolonged use of cannabis can induce a cannabis psychosis and lead to long-term memory loss.

 

 

University contacts

LCC Counselling Team 020 7514 8538

UAL Disability Team 020 7514 6251