IMPORTANT PSA ‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️

Does University Affect Student Mental Health and Wellbeing?

After being accepted to University, there are a few things that you need to do: register to classes, register with a GP, receive vaccinations, join societies, attend freshers fares, adhere to your new timetable, complete mass amounts of holiday tasks and eventually move in. It was an overwhelming possibility at the time. Still, my parents and I packed everything I owned into my surprisingly spacious, blue ford ka and set off to begin my new life. There were more storage boxes than I could count, the smell of polystyrene packaging lingered and an essential full length mirror split the vehicle in half, so mum and dad had to talk over it to ask me how excited I was.

Before I had chance to answer, we were at my accommodation, unpacking my possessions and greeting my new flat mates. My family, who I had lived with and seen every day of my life until now, proudly said goodbye and that these would be ‘the best years of your life’. I stood in the kitchen with six little chairs, six little cupboards and six little shelves in the fridge, where I would learn to cohabitate and I was unsure whether to feel ecstatic or scared. Instead I felt naked; all that covered me was a complimentary hoodie and a lanyard. I embraced it. I had been identified as a fresher and I intended to live like one. Even after summer, the fun shouldn’t stop so every day went something like this: 2pm wake up 3pm crawl to lecture 4pm go home 5pm see flat mates 6pm nap 7pm get ready 8pm pub 9pm pres 10pm pre drinking 11pm trebles (triple shots for the price of one) 12pm club 1am deep chats in the smoking area 2am after party 3am Maccies 4pm bed.

The University lifestyle consumed me as I attempted to survive, Bear Grills would not be impressed. My exiting English and Drama degree saw no routine, sleep, socialisation or food for weeks. Relationships broke down as quickly as I built them because freshers make friends then disappear for the holidays and we disperse all over the country like a millennial virus. I had never suffered from mental health problems before however, most of my friends were open about this and it allowed me to question my internal thoughts. Despite the struggle, I was educationally productive by devising pieces and throwing myself into work. One exercise occurred early morning for a workshop to help inspire ensembles to create their own piece, in which I and three others were chosen. One student walked an imaginary grid around the studio, one in slow motion, one speaking in a different language than myself, who was running to and fro whilst being prompted to improvise a monologue. It was based on the colour red. Connotations of love, fear and flowers popped into my head and out my mouth, as sweat rolled down my cheeks. I spoke about the taste of my mother’s cooking, how I was homesick because my friends were there and how relationships are irrelevant when you look at the bigger picture. They say the greatest thing you can do is move from your home town as it puts life into perspective. They tell you how wonderful life will be but not about the overwhelming need to visit your dog. Time passed as I scaled the room and an applause from my peers erupted once the other members of my group placed their arms around me. I only registered silence. This was now my coping mechanism... although I was unashamed to ask for additional support.

Entering The Student Wellbeing Center, I felt like a contestant on Stars in Your Eyes. ‘Tonight Matthew, I’m going to be...’ I step out of the lift; the cloud of smoke fades and a horseshoe shaped desk appears with sympathetic faces staring back. I approach Jackie with my fingers in a twist and she thankfully speaks first ‘hello, how can I help?’ I tried to form an answer in my head before tears reached my lips. ‘I’m not really sure; I’ve never done this before.’ The bitter taste of salt allowed me to compose myself as the woman spoke ‘I’m afraid you’ve come out of hours but if you let me scan your student card I can give you some information that may help you’. She handed me a leaflet and I hurried out of there, hoping no one I knew could see me.

The University of Lincoln Student Wellbeing Center offers counselling, academic support, multi-faith chaplaincy and documentation of your visits. Unknowing to me at the time, their drop in sessions are 12-2 Monday to Friday. Their website states ‘University life can be a fantastic experience, but it also comes with its own challenges, see what support is available here.’ It aids all students of diverse backgrounds from each gender, class and ethnicity. Upon contact I was informed ‘any questions would need to be processed and emailed to head office before being published’ and as they are understandably busy, their lack of response allowed me to carry out my own research. When asked ‘has University affected your mental health?’ in a 2019 poll on social media, 908 students voted yes against 93 voting no. This phenomenal response of a closed question shows the scale in which students are suffering from thoughts of self harm, negative ideas and the stress of deadlines. The question caused controversy as some students assume everyone agrees whereas other public members were open to further questions and contacted me with support. It must not be ignored that mental health effects all ages and social groups as an MQ landscape analysis 2015 found ‘1 in 4 people experience mental health problems each year – nearly 15 million people’. To gather an understanding of this population and unpick internal or external factors, I decided to meet those who suffer with mental health problems.

The library is a hive of potential and knowledge with students who gather to create a buzz. Between the honeycomb walls I have built a trust with two individuals who have openly shared their mental health experiences to help others however, their names have been changed for protection purposes. I met Chloe and Ross on my course and from a gendered perspective; they seemed like a good place to begin my research for finding ways in which university affects mental health.

I begin with Chloe by asking if the first year of university impacted her mental health; ‘At first I was in a better mental health state as I had problems at home and moving gave me the independence I needed, then as the year went by it started to deteriorate’. I thought back to when I had my jabs at the student medical center to avoid fresher's flu then the nurse slapped a plaster on after... asking this question felt a bit like that. Chloe continued ‘during freshers I was spiked and sexually assaulted which hugely affected my mental health’. I was already aware of these events; I had been at the other end of the phone when dark thoughts had crept into her head... it was just as hard hearing it the second time. I understand the appeal of £2 mixers in the club, but is it worth it when you leave wrapped in ambulance foil, looking like a jacket potato because someone has spiked you? On the plus side, £4 for two VK’s seems like a safer bet, as you can be more vigilant and protect yourself with a thumb over the head of a bottle. The need for recreational drugs shouldn’t give in to peer pressure and if you take them, it should be your own choice. The basics: always travel in groups, never walk home alone and don’t shit where you eat.

I find comfort in the next question, ‘did you seek help and if so, was the student wellbeing center useful?’ I ask. She thinks for a moment. ‘The waiting times are too long for a consultation. When I went to them, they were disorganized in sorting the appointment as they said it wouldn’t benefit my personal mental health issues’. Instead, she visited the University of Lincoln Student Health Centre where she was prescribed an initial dose of Mirtazapine: 15 mg orally once a day at bedtime. Side effects include loss of appetite and drowsiness alongside the recommendation of avoiding alcohol which impacts social ability if you’re a student. On the other hand, when asked what advice she would give to students who are suffering, she states ‘definitely get help when you feel yourself slipping. You don’t want to go too far.’ I wonder how such a small person handles such problems; I commend all 5ft 2 of her.

On his feet sits a pair of Dr Martens, fishnet tights and black attire stretches the length of his body. As a confident young man and aspiring actor, his assurance was affected when he started University as his friend died of Leukaemia which heightened his depression. Ross states that ‘coming to Uni has damaged my anxiety. I freaked out meeting new people and being in a different environment’. He adds ‘the first few weeks of university were uncomfortable but other than social drinking I wasn’t reliant on substances and improved my mental health on my own.’ Ready to further my education, University was the fresh start I needed therefore, I found it difficult to understand how Ross could move on from such a traumatic event.

Also, I couldn’t help differentiating the response between Ross and Chloe. I pointed this out to him and he nodded in response ‘men speaking about mental health has become a less taboo subject within society however, the practical mind-set some men inhabit, creates barriers.’ I asked him how he felt about seeking help as he shares his experience. ‘I didn’t go (to student wellbeing). I didn’t want to. I have a stigma that I can do this on my own. I sit and say I’m not alright to my friends but that’s about it’. His response supports the statistic that ‘In the UK, men are three times as likely to die by suicide as women. In the Republic of Ireland, the rate is four times higher among men than women’. This reminds me that some students are silent sufferers whereas other students have the confidence to become advocates for mental health awareness as it makes others less conscious when speaking out. University is a social construct and an unnatural situation so there is no wonder some students feel like a fish being asked to climb a tree. I support both personalities when approaching the subject of mental health.

Upon reflection I wrote this article in hope of self discovery, to empathise with others and to acknowledge the scale of this issue through research, facts and statistics. Although this piece seems to address first year students and their parents who may only identify the amazing, life changing experience of university, it is also a possibility that your child locks them self in their accommodation and doesn’t come into contact with anyone for days. This struggle applies to all audiences as every individual has good and bad days or negative thoughts without reasons behind them. The point is to check on your friends, even the ones who seem fine. From a young age we are shielded from the reality of suicide in society and the build up to this is ignoring mental health. The afore mentioned services appear in all Universities and they should be used alongside personal tutors provided by the faculty and the Student Help Desk that will address smaller issues such as losing your student card or solving timetable problems. From experience, first year is adapting, second year is the realisation of achieving deadlines that matter and third year is the worry of a dissertation. Despite the pressure, acknowledge what you have achieved and embrace the experience, because every day is a blessing when you struggle with a mental health problem.

By Rosie Blower

If you have been affected by any issues mentioned in this article please find support by visiting the student minds website: https://www.studentminds.org.uk/findsupport.html