Despite being a massive issue for many people, there is still a lot of stigma surrounding mental health, with it often being ignored or undermined. With going to University comes massive changes which can have a huge detrimental impact upon Students' mental health. Despite many students suffering from such issues, more than 25% of those with mental health issues are not getting the treatment they need. It seems that nowadays the priority of Universities is simply to make money. They have become businesses and, rather than taking into account individuals welfare, they have neglected their responsibility.
What is actually being done?
Services that are available within Universities are not bad in themselves, however, they are not visible or well promoted. By hiding such services away, students are forced to actively search for support, which can be a very daunting experience in itself. Speaking from experience, I have had a reasonably positive experience with the counselling service at my university, however, when you are having to wait three weeks (as I was) for an appointment, you are left feeling very let down.
The 2013 NUS Mental Distress Survey, revealed that students who are struggling from mental health issues are unlikely to seek professional support. With the stigma that surrounds the subject, this is not surprising.
On top of this, many students can also find it difficult to speak with their assigned personal tutors, for fear that this will have a detrimental impact upon their place on the course or the way they are treated. This can leave students feeling very neglected and, when missed lectures and seminars are often not chased up, it becomes very easy to feel isolated and alone in such an environment.
'Universities need to seriously reconsider their priorities'
Universities need to seriously reconsider their priorities and the obvious flaws in their system of supporting those suffering from mental health issues needs addressing. Such issues should be discussed and supported without the stigma that currently goes with it. Support should be made tangible and readily available.
We should not be seen as just another number sending £9,000 (at least) a year their way. We are people and have needs and, in my opinion, appropriate support and care for those suffering is one of those needs.
