FEMALE STUDENTS MORE LIKELY TO ADMIT TO FEELING STRESS AND PRESSURE THAN MALES

Mental health concerns among students continue to rise as the number of first-years arriving at university reporting mental health conditions is now five times higher than it was 10 years ago.

Ahead of mental health awareness month this October, Fresh Student Living has delved into the factors causing stress amongst young people, including the most stressful careers.

How Stressed Are Students Today?

1 in 4 students suffer from mental health problems with female students more likely to admit they have a mental health problem than males (34% vs 19%).

• 33% described themselves as often or always feeling lonely
• 8% describe themselves as often or always worried
• 7% of students said they struggled with feelings of anxiety
• 7% admitted to using alcohol or drugs to cope with these feelings

The Most Stressful Professions

Once entering the world of work, graduates are faced with a secondary layer of stress – finding a job. YouGov revealed 81% of students feel pressure to find a job within six months of graduating. To add to this, a survey by Perkbox revealed that work is the most common cause of stress, with over half of adults (59%) experiencing this, while two-thirds have sleepless nights because of it.

A survey on stress levels across the UK revealed the top 10 stressful professions, which would mean the most anxious students would face further challenges around mental health going forward:

1. HR: 79%
2. Legal: 63%
3. Retail, Catering & Leisure: 54%
4. IT & Telecoms: 53%
5. Healthcare: 52%
6. Education: 51%
7. Sales, Media & Marketing: 48%
8. Architecture, Engineering & Building: 47%
9. Finance: 46%
10. Arts & Culture: 44%

Top Causes of Stress Among Young People

• Academic pressure and uncertainty about the future
• Loneliness/homesickness
• Social media
• Finances
• Careers

Combatting Stress and Focusing on Mental Health

Poor mental health leads to burnout, fatigue, and can also result in irregular moods, feelings of anxiety and reduced focus; eventually taking its toll on relationships and physical health as well. While many young people turn to short term methods of coping, a more sustainable and healthy strategy can help deal with long-term effects.

• Exercise: A walk, jog or session at the campus gym will get the blood pumping and endorphins flowing.
• Focus on the present, instead of rethinking about any mistakes that you may have made.
• Talk about how you’re feeling, whether it’s to a friend, family member or your university counsellor.
• Socialise with your peers by spending time in communal areas of your accommodation, joining a society or hanging out with your classmates in common rooms or cafes around your university.
• Listen to music: Put on some of your favourite tunes to give your mood an instant lift.
• Set up a phone call or video chat with your loved ones back home, to catch up and help you feel more connected. This can also help alleviate feelings on homesickness.
• Take a break from social media and make time for yourself on a daily basis to rest and recharge. Whether it’s taking a hot shower, cooking a healthy meal or just spending some time outdoors.