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2011-09-30 13:39:24
By Branwen Jeffreys Health correspondent, BBC News
Doctors are warning that the current generation of students has a greater risk
of anxiety and depression than previous ones.
The Royal College of Psychiatrists says there are now many more students from
less privileged backgrounds who are less prepared for university life.
Students also face rising debt and uncertain job prospects, the RCP warns.
It is concerned universities may see counselling and support services as an
easy target for cuts.
In a report seen exclusively by the BBC, the RCP says the massive expansion in
the numbers of young people going into higher education has had a significant
impact.
Universities are now educating a different type of student from the privileged
minority of 20 years ago. Changes in wider society are also being seen on
campus, with an increase in students from fractured families. At the same time,
the financial cost of going to university has increased.
Dr John Callender, one of the report authors, said: "Many are having to work
long hours in paid work on top of full-time academic studies. Many are less
well-supported by their families than was the case in years gone by.
"The reasons for this are things like increased rates of marital breakdown and
students being drawn from poorer social backgrounds."
He said there are also intense social pressures for many young people, living
away from home and trying to live up to the expectation that these years should
be a happy and sociable time.
Dropping out
During their years at university, it is thought about 4% of students will turn
to counselling services for support. Recent research has suggested that these
services are facing an increasing demands for their advice.
For Liam Bore, being able to talk to someone made the difference between
staying at university and dropping out.
Start Quote
Sometimes there is a lot of pressure on them to succeed. They can be carrying
the hopes of a whole family
Eileen Smith Report joint author
He found himself struggling to maintain his studies after the death of two
school friends was followed only a year later by the loss of his mother.
"My concentration wasn't good, I couldn't take on what was going on in the
lessons, and that had a big impact on my grades."
With support from the counselling service at the University of Hertfordshire,
Liam has negotiated extra time to complete his final assignments and now hopes
to leave with a good degree.
Some universities are investing more in support services, in recognition that
if students leave their course, it can damage their prospects and lead to the
university losing their fees.
Eileen Smith, the head of counselling at the University of Hertfordshire and a
joint author of the report, has been advising first-year students about the
help available as part of their freshers' week.
She agrees this is a generation for whom the pressures are greater, as many are
the first in their family to reach university.
"They might find it harder to negotiate with tutors, they're less sure what to
expect, and less confident about asking for help.
"Sometimes there is a lot of pressure on them to succeed. They can be carrying
the hopes of a whole family."
The report warns that despite the growing demands, there are concerns for the
future of some welfare services, with reports of some universities in England
already freezing posts as a result of the financial pressures on higher
education.
The RCP says this is a crucial time in the lives of young people, whether for
temporary support, or early diagnosis of major mental illnesses.
It wants academic staff to receive more training, and greater incentives for
GPs interested in running dedicated health services for students.