Students seeking counselling doubles

THE number of students seeking counselling at university has doubled since 2012, but spending on campusbased mental health services has lagged behind.

Campaigners have warned that students face a “postcode lottery” for support amid spiralling stress and money worries.

Overall, the figures – compiled Uk-wide by the BBC data unit through freedom of information – shows the number of students accessing counselling in Scotland’s universities has increased 106 per cent, from 6,173 in 2012/13 to 12,703 in 2016/17.

Over the same period, university budgets for campus-based mental health services, which can also include facilities such as helplines and wellbeing officers, increased by 23%, from £2.49 million to £3.06m.

However, Universities Scotland, which represents higher education bodies, said this showed how seriously universities were taking mental health, since funding for university teaching has been falling in real terms over the same period.

In Scotland, Edinburgh University has experienced the sharpest spike in demand for student mental health services, from 1,493 students in 2012/13 to 3002 in 2016/17. However, it also substantially increased its mental health funding and staffing over the same period, from just under £617,000 to £1.04m, and now employs 38 full- and part-time counsellors and support staff, up from 23 in 2012/13.

Gemma Jones, deputy president of the National Union of Students(nus) Scotland, said: “What we’re seeing across Scotland is a real postcode

lottery when it comes to mental health treatment on campus. NUS Scotland wants to see parity of services across Scotland so that when our members need support for their mental health, they get it.

“Students face huge pressures and every day many juggle the need to

work, put food on their plate and keep a roof over their head whilst keeping up with the demands of their studies.

“It’s crucial the colleges, universities, the Government and other key partners continue work to reduce stigma, highlight support and improve mental health services.

“We look forward to working with the Scottish Government on their promise to deliver 80 new counsellors across our institutions.”

David Lott, deputy director of Universities Scotland, said: “Universities are committed to supporting their students to flourish in higher

education as demonstrated by their spending on mental health spending.

“However it’s important to remember clinical care is the responsibility of the NHS. We therefore value, and want to enhance, our partnership working with the NHS to support all students.”