Report
Summary
Mental health among students in higher education continues to be a growing concern, with new data from the Student Academic Experience Survey (SAES) showing a significant rise in reported difficulties. This report examines student mental health in the UK in 2024, with a particular focus on LGBTQ+ students, using survey data collected from thousands of undergraduates.
LGBTQ+ students report higher rates of mental health difficulties compared to their peers. Bisexual students have the highest rate of mental health difficulties (30%) followed by lesbian students (29%). 30% of bisexual students and 29% of lesbian students report mental health difficulties. Two of the groups facing the worst mental health outcomes are non-binary students (over half report mental health difficulties) and trans students (around 40% report mental health difficulties). However, it should be noted that these two groups include small sample sizes.
Female and state-educated students are also disproportionately affected, with women twice as likely to report mental health difficulties compared to male students. Reports of mental health difficulties have nearly tripled since 2017, with 18% of students now reporting challenges, which we estimate equates to approximately 300,000 UK undergraduates.
Mental health difficulties are also the leading reason students consider dropping out of university, surpassing financial concerns. The report highlights the need for universities to take a proactive approach to mental health, particularly for vulnerable groups, and to integrate mental health support into their retention strategies.
The project explored:
- Changes in student mental health over time.
- Differences in mental health difficulties by demographic groups, including gender and gender identity, sexual identity, ethnicity, educational background, and socio-economic background.
- The impact of mental health on student retention and academic engagement.
This report sets out key findings and recommendations for policymakers and higher education providers, emphasising the need for a public health approach, targeted interventions for at-risk groups, and continued evaluation of mental health support services.