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A Deep Dive into the Reality of Mental Health at University

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A male student stares his laptop while massaging his temples, attempting to alleviate stress.

Around 1 in 4 students rate their mental wellbeing as poor during their time at university, and only around 60% have used formal support services so far, a new survey of 600 students commissioned by Here! Student Living has found. 

That’s a significant share of students quietly struggling, often while trying to keep up with everything that uni life throws at them.

Starting uni is supposed to be exciting; new independence, new people, and, for most, an entirely new city! But behind all of that, there’s something a lot of students don’t talk about openly enough… Mental health at university. 
With it being such a central part of your student experience, Here! Student Living set out to understand what’s really going on behind the scenes to build a clearer picture of students’ mental health today. From the pressures you’re facing, how it’s impacting your day-to-day lives, and the ways students like you are actually coping, here’s what the survey revealed…

What Is Mental Health And Why Is It Important At University?

Before we get into the data, it’s worth grounding this properly. 

If you’ve ever wondered “What is mental health by definition?”, it’s essentially your emotional, psychological, and social well-being; how you think, feel, and cope daily. It shapes everything from your motivation and sleep to your relationships and your ability to handle stress. 

So, if you’re asking why is mental health important, especially at uni? It’s because this is one of the biggest transitional periods of your life. You’re balancing independence, academic pressure, finances, and social change all at once. That’s a lot! Which is exactly why conversations around mental health and university students matter more than ever. 

The Reality of Stress for Students

A lot of mental health problems at uni come from the same place, whether that’s too many competing demands, not enough time, or the pressure to hold everything together. This isn’t about being dramatic. It’s about recognising that if you’re struggling, it doesn’t mean you’re failing; it simply means you’re experiencing something incredibly common. 

If we’re being real, stress at uni isn’t occasional anymore. In fact, almost all of the respondents (93.7%) said that they felt stressed at least sometimes during their studies. 

That means stress isn’t just something a small group of people deal with. It affects the everyday university mental health of most students.

Does Poor Mental Health Affect Your Studies?

Stress doesn’t just sit in the background. It actively impacts how you perform academically, agrees 77.2% of students. This can look like:

  • Struggling to concentrate during lectures
  • Procrastinating deadlines
  • Losing motivation completely
  • Feeling burnt out before exams even start

We talk about mental health issues, we’re not just talking about feelings; we’re talking about the real consequences of your degree, too, which is why conversations around managing exam stress aren’t just a “nice to have”. They’re essential!

What Causes Mental Health Problems at Uni?

The answer to this isn’t usually one thing; it’s a combination. The biggest stress triggers reported by students were:

  • Academic workload and deadlines (67.7%)
  • Money and the cost of living (67.3%)

And these two don’t exist separately, either. They overlap in ways that can make day-to-day life feel constantly switched on.

On one side, you’ve got lectures, assignments, revision, and the pressure to keep up academically. Deadlines don’t just come one at a time; they stack. And when exams come around, that pressure ramps up even more, so coping with exam stress feels like a full-time job in itself. 

At the same time, there’s the financial reality sitting in the background. For many students, money isn’t just something you think about occasionally. It’s part of everyday decision-making: What you eat, where you go, and whether you can even socialise.

In fact, over half of the respondents (58%) surveyed have a student side hustle alongside their degree to ease financial pressure, which means less time to rest and recharge. On the flip side, only 16% rely solely on their maintenance loan, and some are filling the gap in different ways, including dipping into pre-uni savings (28.2%) and almost 3 in 5 (59.3%) receiving some level of financial support from their family.

What this creates is a constant balancing act. You’re expected to perform academically while also managing your finances, time, and energy all at once. 

And that’s where a lot of mental health issues begin to build. It doesn’t happen all at once, and it’s often a combination of multiple things pulling you in different directions with little room to switch off. This is why preventing poor mental health at university needs to be addressed before it spirals. 

How Students are Coping

When it comes to support for mental health, most students aren’t turning to complicated routines. They’re actually relying on simple habits to improve mental health. Here are some of the most common wellbeing tips for students that you could try and fit into your daily routine, tried and tested:

  • Stay connected with people you trust 
  • Spend time outdoors
  • Take part in physical activities
  • Enjoy guilt-free breaks
  • Sleep consistently 

Why Students Neglect Their Mental Health

One of the biggest patterns to come out of the data is that a lot of students aren’t actively looking after their mental health until something feels off. 

When juggling deadlines, finances, and everything else, it’s easy for student well-being to drop down the priority list. That’s why it’s no surprise that the survey revealed 40.3% of students only focus on their mental health when they’re already struggling. And it’s not because they don’t care, it’s because student life is busy, unpredictable, and constantly demanding your attention elsewhere. 

This goes even further for some. 32.5% of students admitted they rarely or never do anything to manage their stress or protect their mental well-being.

All is not lost for the students of today because around 65% are taking some kind of action at least a few times a month. From getting outside and exercising to simply taking a well-deserved break, a large number of students are working on these positive habits.

What this really highlights is the gap between knowing and doing. Most students understand the importance of positive mental health at university, but building regular habits around it is a different challenge entirely. Take proactive steps before you burn out, and your university experience will become a lot more manageable!

Why formal support is not always easy to access

Out of the students surveyed, 22.2% of them were worried about the stigma that comes with accessing formal support. But what if we told you that 61.3% used formal support services during their time in uni so far?

While many students have used formal support, not everyone finds it easy to access. Whether that’s because you don’t know where to start, cost, time constraints, or you’re simply worried about judgment, you’re not alone. 

At almost all institutions, student support services are offered. If you’re considering counselling for students, it’s worth checking:

  • Your uni’s student counselling service
  • External mental health charity options
  • Online platforms

Feeling Lonely at Uni

What bothers over 30% of students is feeling lonely at uni: something that doesn’t always get said out loud. But it happens more than people like to admit, especially in first year. That’s why making friends at uni isn’t just about having people to go out with. It’s a key part of protecting your mental health. 

It’s not always going to happen instantly, so if you want to hurry the process along, you could try:

  • Joining societies
  • Saying yes to low-pressure plans
  • Keeping in touch with people from home for a mental health check-in

Your Living Environment Matters 

Despite how much of a difference your living space makes to your mental health at university, it’s often one of the most overlooked components. Don’t believe us? The results speak for themselves, with around 90% of students admitting that their living environment impacted their mental wellbeing.

This includes things like:

  1. Sleep

A clutter-free space and practising Feng Shui can make a real difference to your sleep and stress levels. Having enough storage to stay organised creates a calmer, more relaxing environment. At Here! Student Living, all of our accommodation options are meticulously designed with this in mind.

  1. Affordability

Managing your student budget is stressful enough without wondering if you’re going to make rent AND utility bills. That’s why an affordable, all-inclusive student accommodation that ties in common areas, social events, and gyms is super beneficial (and often works out cheaper, too!)

  1. Privacy 

Uni life can be exhausting. Having somewhere you can go all by yourself is perfect for reflecting and unwinding, so look out for private rooms and studios!

  1. Comfort

Even small things like decorating your room at uni can help you to create a sanctuary that feels safe and calming. 

At Here! Student Living, we understand that your living space plays a huge part in your mental wellbeing, one of our top priorities. That’s why when you secure your accommodation with us, you’ll get access to our Live Now programme. This scheme implements a range of initiatives, such as Mindful Mondays and partnerships with charities, including Chasing the Stigma, an organisation that brings together thousands of services (including charitable, private, and NHS ones) into one easy-to-use platform; the Hub of Hope. 

What Students Wish They Knew Before Starting Uni

One of the clearest findings from our survey was that many students felt underprepared for the mental demands of university life, including around half who admitted that their school or college didn’t equip them with the knowledge they needed. 

For new students, this reality check can make uni feel even more overwhelming. You might arrive thinking that uni will be like school with a sprinkle of freedom, only to find that you’re balancing coursework, social life, budgeting, and the emotional ups and downs of living away from home. In fact, many students wish they’d known sooner that stress, loneliness, and feeling overwhelmed are actually normal, and that coping strategies need to be learned as you go.

Practical takeaways from those who’ve been there include building a routine that prioritises sleep and downtime, reaching out to friends early, and experimenting with wellbeing strategies to see what actually works for you! 

You don’t have to have everything figured out from day one; preparation isn’t about perfectionism, it’s about knowing support exists and small, consistent habits can do you a world of good.

Uni Survival Tips By Students, For Students

If there’s one thing you should take away from all of this, it’s that struggling with your mental health at university doesn’t mean you’re “doing uni wrong.” Most students go through periods of stress, burnout, loneliness, or just feeling a bit off. It’s a shared experience, which is why there’s so much advice:

  1. Speak Up Early

One of the students we surveyed advised that you speak up early. “Ask for help as soon as you notice something is wrong”, they recommended. “It’s easier before deadlines start stacking up”. And they’re right! Recognising the signs of mental illness early (including significant changes in emotions, thoughts, and behaviours) is crucial. Waiting until everything builds up can make things feel much harder to manage, whereas reaching out early (whether that’s to friends, family, or university student support) can take some of the pressure off.

  1. Take Breaks

Cramming in a whole year’s worth of revision into one week is never going to work in your favour. Instead, practice exam stress management using techniques like Pomodoro timers and study calendars throughout the year. By taking a mental health day to break up your week, you won’t be overloading your brain, and you’ll still make time for the things you enjoy. 

  1. Routine Is Everything 

Another tip that cropped up was to form a routine. Uni can feel chaotic, but building “a routine that prioritises sleep and downtime” is much more sustainable. “Don’t try to live like it’s Freshers’ Week forever”, another student went on. It sounds simple, but having structure can make a difference to your mental wellbeing.

Remember, you don’t have to figure it all out on your own. There’s support in so many different forms just waiting to be accessed, including professional support for mental health.

Student Support Directory 

Whether you need ongoing support or an urgent friendly phone call, here’s a list of organisations that you can contact in your time of need:

Explore Support, Build Your Routine, and Find Your Space

Your environment, your routine, and your support system all play a huge role in your mental well-being. If you’re looking to create a space that actually supports your day-to-day life, it’s worth exploring accommodation options designed with students like you in mind. 

Here! Student Living offers spaces built around comfort, community, and real student needs, creating an environment where you can actually feel good day in, day out. Ready to take the next steps with Here! Student Living? Discover our student accommodation options in a city near your university today.

Methodology

The data for this report were collected via an online survey of 600 current students and recent graduates from the past five years. The students or ex-students studied a range of subjects and represented a mix of genders and ages to ensure a balanced representation of our insights into student mental health.