A Problem of Work-Life Balance
Graduate students can struggle to make ends meet while carrying out their studies. Student debt is reaching new heights across the globe. In the UK, the Institute of Fiscal Studies has stated that in 2017, the average student graduated with debts of over £50,000 an amount which ascends when postgraduate study is tacked on to existing debt. The burden of debt, compounded by a big workload, can students to feel isolated and pressured. Over half of those who have anxiety or depression say they lack a good work-life balance. Competition from other students raises the bar in terms of hours of study. Moreover, universities can lack authentic mentorship; that which values mental health as much as career planning.
 

How can Universities Help Improve Mental Health?
Success as a student involves more than achieving academic aims. Social interaction, physical activity, and proactive stress busting strategies are key if students are to balance their busy lives. Universities should foster greater mental health awareness to remove the stigma associated with anxiety and depression. This would enable students to obtain a diagnosis for mental health conditions quickly, which is particularly important for issues such as depression. Students should also have opportunities on-campus to tackle stress head-on through participation in healing activities.

Stress Busting Activities
Keeping depression and anxiety at bay involves making time for mental health. Thus, students can consider taking part in activities such as yoga, mindfulness meditation, and Tai Chi, all of which have been proven to significantly lower levels of stress hormone, cortisol. Mental health should also be approached with humor. Thus, there are many online tests and games that can give students a clue regarding possible mental issues they may be unaware of. Thus, if they frequently feel overwhelmed, they occasionally feel dizzy or faint, or they find that their heart race soars in tense moments, they may have anxiety.

Mental Health Awareness
Students need to understand the different triggers from anxiety and depression. Frequent social media use, for instance, is tied in to a higher likelihood of depression. So is a lack of sleep. On the other hand, many studies have shown strategies that can help – including having a pet, taking part in a dedicated mental health program with a preventive focus, reducing smartphone use, and meditation.
Professor Steve West, vice-chancellor of UWE Bristol and chair of UUK's Mental Health in Higher Education Advisory Group, recently called on universities to up their game when it comes to students’ mental health. One way is for the NHS to work alongside universities, local authorities, business and the third sector, to ensure that students have solid support from health services when they make the move from home to university.


 

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