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HOW TO SPOT SIGNS OF A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS: SUPPORTING STUDENT WELLBEING
Exam season for students brings its fair share of challenges. From late-night revision to jam-packed schedules with tests, assessments, and submission deadlines - it’s easy to let your mental health take a backseat. However, this is the time when it’s even more important to prioritise wellbeing.
According to a recent Yugo survey, over one fifth (24%) of UK students reported that their state of mind has got worse since moving away from home, with an alarming 52% saying they have become more anxious as a result. It’s clear that mental health concerns among the current student population is an issue spread across all UK campuses.
Global student accommodation provider and brand, Yugo, shares its three top tips to help students look out for the signs of mental health distress. Recognising the signs of poor mental health in friends and peers at university is an essential way of supporting each other when things get tough. Sometimes, a simple conversation or gesture can make all the difference to someone struggling.
1. Personality changes
If someone who was previously bubbly, outgoing, and the life of the party becomes withdrawn, anxious, and disconnected from those around them, this can often be a sign that something is troubling them. Equally, if someone was previously quite reserved suddenly starts acting reckless, this can also be a sign of mental distress and struggles.
Try not to force the person to speak about how they’re feeling or press them for answers. Instead, let them know you’re always here, and invite them to casual, low-pressure situations, like a catch up over coffee, a trip to the cinema, or a quiet study session.
The main point here is to be there for your friend. Stress, anxiety, and even things like bereavement can trigger strong reactions in people – knowing they have a reliable companion by their side can make all the difference.
2. Changes to sleep or diet
Okay, so we’re not suggesting you monitor the hours your friends are sleeping, or their calorie intake. But, if you live with friends and notice one is sleeping more than usual, not eating enough, or regularly staying awake all night (and then powering through with caffeine the next day), it might be time to have a gentle word. Issues such as anxiety can cause insomnia, and depression may lead to increased hours spent sleeping – so these are behaviors to keep an eye on.
Look out for your friends by offering to help them get up at a regular time, or organising a food shop together so they can get some healthy groceries for cooking. If they are open to talking about what’s bothering them, lend them an ear for as long as they need, or suggest that they text or email if they feel more comfortable writing it down.
3. Loss of interest in activities
While we might all put things aside from time to time when we’re busy, when someone loses total interest in their passion – be it a sport, hobby, or volunteering – this might be cause for concern.
Encourage your friend to reignite their passion by inviting them along to a regular gathering, meeting, or match to give them an opportunity to attend if they’re struggling to find motivation or time. Helping someone get back in touch with something they care about can be a huge boost to their mental health, giving them space to unwind and relax, switching off from the stress of exams and studying.
Remember that mental health is a journey – supporting each other along the path is important and the best way to be supportive is to be open and without judgement in your conversations. Sometimes, all you need to do is let someone know you’re there.
As always, if you’re concerned about someone, you can speak to the Samaritans on 116 123 for free.
Your next feminist inspiration based on your university course 🤓
We have taken a research deep-dive to find some of the most inspirational women for university students to look up to, based on the UK’s most popular chosen course subjects. From revolutionary scientists to code cracking engineers – these wise, witty, and wonderful women are sure to spark inspiring thoughts and share important messages.
One thing we do recommend whilst you are personalising your student digs is investing in a houseplant. 21% of Gen Z individuals class themselves as ‘plant parents’ , the largest percentage in this study of age groups. This is believed to stem from the desire to care for a living thing – nurturing something other than ourselves. Deep.
Studying is, of course, part and parcel with attending university. But, it’s no big secret that some students take it more seriously than others. From finding a quiet secluded area, to creating your very own study playlist – it’s actually been proven that your study space can play a huge role in how effectively you learn. So, what does your chosen study space say about you?
5 reasons to study abroad and how to find accomodation? 🏢
Studying abroad has many benefits, from personal development, to improving your job prospects. But, it can also be a huge leap to take, especially if you’ve not travelled much before. If you’re still deciding whether studying overseas could be for you, here are five reasons why we think it could be life changing.
One of those decisions is choosing where to live. Many people think their only option is to live on-campus in halls of residence. But, a growing number of students are choosing to live in purpose-built student accommodation off-campus. If you’re still a little unsure which accommodation could be right for you, don’t worry – we’ve got you. We’ve compared the benefits of living off-campus VS on-campus to help you decide.
So, how do you make your ‘home away from home’ a place you are proud to present? Yugo has tirelessly trawled through TikTok to discover and reveal its top five must-have Amazon finds to update your space for 2023 – so you can create the ultimate destination to return to after a long day of lectures… or a longer evening on the dance floor.
How to live the green life: Top student hacks to reduce your impact on the planet 🌏
We’re here to reveal its top tips to reduce your carbon footprint and increase your sustainability – without putting a huge dent in your maintenance loan. Check out our handy hacks here...
Moving away from home can be challenging in many ways, but being in charge of your own money can be one of the trickiest ones. In fact, in our recent survey, 37% of UK students found it difficult to manage their finances and budget effectively when living away from home.
The unwritten rules of the shared university kitchen revealed 🧹
We've compiled a handy list of things to establish with your flat mates from the get go, so your shared accommodation journey is smooth and straightforward. Let’s go…
Thinking about going Postgrad? Here's what you need to know 🎓
Whether you’re looking to do a Masters, Doctorate, Postgraduate certificate or Postgraduate diploma, the experts here at Yugo have the lowdown on what it’s like to carry on your studies.
