For most, university represents the best years of a person’s life. However, for many, university is a mental pressure cooker in which the stresses of being away from home exaggerate financial, relationship and academic issues. In December of 2015, a survey by the National Union of Students (NUS) found that the majority of students (78%) had suffered from mental health problems at university, a third of which said they had suicidal thoughts and over half (54%) admitting they did not seek support. Anthony Seldon, vice-chancellor at the University of Buckingham and a mental-health campaigner, has said: “Britain has a near epidemic of mental health problems among its students.”

These thoughts have followed from a recent survey carried out by the Architect’s Journal found that more than a quarter of students studying architecture at university are being treated or have been previously treated for mental health problems. With architecture being a seven year course, anxiety over increasing debts and heavy workloads that frequently require all-nighters, were sourced by undergraduates as the causes for these mental health issues.

These rather provoking figures are leading to some important questions being asked. Are universities doing enough to help with those students suffering from mental health issues? Are the huge student loans contributing to this increase in mental health issues?

With the recent news that some universities are increasing their tuition fees for the first time since they trebled, the stress and strain over financial security will only develop further and consequently increase the amount of students suffering from mental health issues. On top of this, as of this month, maintenance grants have now become maintenance loans for those poorer students. Jane Duncan, president of the Royal Institute of British Architecture, has said: “I am concerned that the combination of tuition fees, rising student debt and the necessity for many students to take on paid work outside study can trigger or exacerbate mental health problems.” The rising debt for students is becoming a major issue in the UK. Not only is it preventing some prospective students joining university in the first place, but for those who are there, the extra stress that is being added by debt worries is potentially causing a rise in mental health issues.

Questions have been raised over whether the institutions are providing suitable services to help combat the risk of mental health issues, and support those who are suffering from these problems. However, what must be asked is whether the stresses that are leading to the rise of mental health problems are being caused by the institutions themselves, and the high prices of university. With university inevitably only becoming more expensive in the near future for all students, it appears that this “epidemic” will only get worse. It is up to the universities themselves to prevent these mental health problems, rather than exert more effort into services that support students with issues.