The “scale and severity” of the mental health casework being dealt with by colleges across England has risen, a report has suggested.
Poverty and cost-of-living challenges are being felt keenly by college students and they are having a “clear and direct detrimental impact” on their health and wellbeing, according to the Association of Colleges (AoC) paper.
A poll of 71 colleges in England found that nearly a third (30%) of colleges reported at least one student death by suicide within the last year.
The report – which calls on the Government to provide more funding to colleges to ensure they can support their students with their mental health – has been published on World Suicide Prevention Day.
The survey, of senior mental health leads in AoC member colleges between April and May, found that three in four (75%) each recorded more than five attempted suicides within the previous 12 months.
Of those, 30% of colleges reported between 10 and 14 attempted suicides within the last year, while 13% reported more than 30 attempts within their colleges.
The poll, shared with the PA news agency, suggests that 74% of colleges said there had been an increase in the proportion of students aged between 16 and 18 demonstrating “suicide ideation” in the last 12 months.
Around three in five (61%) reported an increase in attempted suicides in the same age group.
Almost half (49%) of colleges reported an average of up to 10 mental health-related A&E referrals within the previous year, but more than a quarter (28%) of colleges reported more than 10 referrals.
The report suggests that colleges believe there is a strong link between the cost-of-living crisis and rising poverty and young people’s mental health.
Survey respondents were asked what they felt were the main influences affecting college students’ mental health and wellbeing – and home circumstances and social media were the most cited factors (both 82%).
Three in four (75%) respondents highlighted the cost-of-living and energy crisis while 69% indicated money worries as significant influences.
The report said: “The global perma-crises have prevailed and closer to home, poverty and cost-of-living challenges are felt keenly across the further education sector, with a clear and direct detrimental impact on health and wellbeing.”
“One student death is too many, so to have evidence of at least 30% of colleges in the truly devastating position of experiencing a student death by suicide, and the ripple effect throughout the college community, only strengthens the need to address this conversation with urgency,” it added.
In a foreword to the report, Peter Mayhew-Smith, chairman of the AoC mental health reference group and chief executive of South Thames Colleges Group, said the research suggests that the college sector is “just about coping” rather than “comprehensively bridging the gulf” in students’ lives.
He called the data on students’ suicide ideation and attempts “chilling” and added that FE (further education) colleges “cannot do this alone.”
Mr Mayhew-Smith said: “This data maps out the deep and wide chasm in student wellbeing, and shows that both the scale and severity of the mental health casework being dealt with by colleges across the country have risen.
“The data on suicide and suicide ideation, in particular, should cause the government and policymakers to sit up and think seriously about the resources colleges desperately need to support our young people.”
He added: “The forthcoming legislation must deliver a new system; it’s a matter of life and death.”
In the King’s Speech in July, the Government set out its plans to modernise the Mental Health Act and improve mental health provision for young people.
The new AoC report calls on the government to fund colleges to “develop and deliver a whole-college approach” to mental health and wellbeing.
Jen Hope, AoC mental health lead and area director for the Midlands, said: “Our annual mental health survey often has shocking findings, but this year’s results on suicide are beyond upsetting.
“The findings put the mental health crisis gripping our young people and adults into sharp focus and demonstrate the urgent need for action from both national and local government in ensuring colleges have access to the funding, resources and external services they need to support students.”
Ms Hope called for the appropriate level of support to be provided to colleges who have “extremely limited” resources.
She added: “All too often the focus on mental health support from government is on schools, but our survey shows that college students deserve and need more support as well.”
For mental health support, contact the Samaritans on 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans.org or visit samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.
