Researchers at Swansea University Medical School have published a new study titled “Trends in Incidence of Self-Harm, Neurodevelopmental, and Mental Health Conditions Among University Students Compared to the General Population: A Nationwide Electronic Data Linkage Study in Wales.” Led by Professor Ann John and Dr Olivier Y. Rouquette the study provides invaluable insights into the trends and patterns of self-harm, neurodevelopmental disorders and mental health conditions in university students compared to non-students of a similar age, sex and deprivation in Wales.
Concern that self-harm and mental health conditions are increasing in university students has been growing. Suggested causes include widening access to university, existing population trends and/or specific stressors they face like growing debt.
Using electronic records for the population in Wales, we linked data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) with data available within the SAIL databank. We identified 96,760 undergraduate students enrolled at university during the academic years 2012-13 to 2017-18, aged 18 to 24 years at university entry. We compared them with 151,795 non-students with similar characteristics.
Key findings from the study include:
- Students generally have better mental health than non-students with similar backgrounds, but both groups experience similar levels of ADHD, eating disorders, bipolar disorder, and alcohol use.
- Records of self-harm, neurodevelopmental disorders, depression, schizophrenia, and alcohol use increased more among students compared to non-students.
- First year students were more at risk of alcohol use, and students with records of self-harm, ADHD, depression, anxiety, and alcohol misuse before university were more likely to drop out.
- Students entering university at a later age were more at risk of self-harm, neurodevelopmental disorders, and mental health conditions compared to students entering university at a younger age.
This study sheds light on common, diverse, and wide-ranging mental health conditions among students, highlighting their different needs and journeys compared to non-students. The variety and complexity of these needs emphasise the importance of integrated multidisciplinary stepped-care pathways within universities, including triage, access to well-being support, counselling, and referral pathways to mental health services. By recognising and addressing these differences, we can better support the mental health and well-being of our student population.
Professor Ann John, lead author of the study, said:
We were able to highlight the common, wide ranging mental health needs of students and how they differ from non-students. Students generally have better mental health than non-students. However self-harm, depression, schizophrenia, and alcohol use increased more among students compared to non-students.
All young people need fair access to appropriate and timely mental health support. Our universities are home to growing numbers of young people where there is a real opportunity to interrupt trajectories disrupted by mental health problems.
Our findings highlight the urgent need for stepped care, integrated health services and tailored support systems and interventions to address mental health in university students.”
The study sets the stage for further research and the development of comprehensive mental health support programs within university settings, tailored to the specific challenges faced by students in Wales.
To read more, visit: https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.2024.90
About the Study:
“Trends in incidence of self-harm, neurodevelopmental and mental health conditions among university students compared to the general population: a nationwide electronic data linkage study in Wales”
Support: this research is supported by ADR Wales, DATAMIND, Adolescent Mental Health Data Platform (ADP) and the Wolfson centre for young people mental health.
