As we welcome 2025, you might be reflecting on your first proper break since starting university. Whether it’s your first, second, or third year, going to university comes with its challenges. Sometimes this means your mental health can be put to the side and forgotten about.
A survey conducted by The Tab showed that out of 4,000 students across the country, a staggering 69% suffer from a mental illness. So it’s clear that mental health is a pressing issue when it comes to university students. Addressing it, and being aware of the resources available, has become incredibly important.
It could be a combination of studying for exams and adjusting to being away from home, or a myriad of personal issues. It’s completely normal to be overwhelmed at times. But, that doesn’t mean you have to accept it as the norm. It’s important to remember to put your mental health first.
Here are a few ways you can put this into action:
Give yourself a break
It’s important to remember, you’re human. You’re completely entitled to feel anxious, moving away from home and navigating the stress of university is challenging. You might sometimes feel like you’re the only one struggling to settle or deal with your course. But you’re not alone. Unfortunately, a lot of students tend to hide these struggles. Allow yourself to feel and open up – don’t push these feelings to the side.
It’s also very important to put time aside to do things you enjoy. For example, going out for a few drinks with friends, going to the cinema, or enjoying a cake at a cafe. By being in university you’re already being productive, you don’t have to earn your right to rest or recharge.
Being aware of the resources
Sometimes it can feel like you’ve been thrown in the deep end and not knowing who to go to for help can feel daunting. But there are plenty of resources within the university you attend and charities to help navigate these challenges.
External Resources
- Mind – Here at Mind we’re dedicated to offering support and guidance to families across the UK suffering from poor mental health. With 100 local branches across England and Wales, you can find your nearest Mind branch here.
- Student Minds – Student minds is a mental health charity for students passionate about not letting students be held back by their mental health.
- The Student Room – This student forum offers great personalised support, it’s also a great place to ask questions about your specific university, transport, or accommodation from people that have first hand experience.
Help provided by your universities and unions
To find support for your university it would be best to visit your specific universities website or by searching your university through Student Space.
Additionally, student unions can be a very helpful resource, these student run organisations can offer advice from student accommodation concerns to helping reach out and make new friends. Being that these unions are student run means they have the experience to relate and help more effectively.
Physical and mental self-care tips
Self-care is not a one-size-fits-all all. Some people might enjoy a relaxing bath, whereas some other people find more physical and mental relief from a workout. What helps one person might not resonate with another, is the key is to find what works best for you.
Let’s go through some popular ways students practice self-care.
Physical stimulation
- Hiking is an excellent way to get in nature, check with your student union they may have a hiking group you can join. This could be a perfect time to listen to your favourite music or podcast too!
- Yoga is a great way to slow down by a combination of breathing techniques and core strengthening. Like hiking, check if your university has a yoga club.
- Gym can work for some people. It works by releasing feel-good endorphins, which then improves your sense of wellbeing.
Sometimes it can sound a little condescending when people recommend exercise for mental health – but there is truth to it. With a combination of the chemicals it releases, and the improvement in quality of sleep it really can make a difference.
Mental stimulation
- Journaling can help you articulate your thoughts rather than pushing them to the side.
- Colouring can be a great stress-relieving activity as well as drawing. Why not treat yourself to some nice pens.
- Reading is perfect for taking you away from your day-to-day stress. Just pick a book under your favourite genre and give it a go.
It’s important that you keep trying new things or do the hobbies you enjoyed before uni.
You’re not alone
Going to university comes with its ups and downs, so it’s important to let people know so you don’t struggle alone. And if you feel you don’t have that support system in your current network, be sure to use the resources listed.
If there is anything you need support with please reach out to our email: [email protected]. For more urgent support, please check out our crisis page: https://heymind.org.uk/help/crisis-support/
