Witnessing the mental health problems that students have encountered over the first 12 months of the Covid-19 pandemic has sparked an exciting new initiative from therapist-matching site welldoing.org. The discounted Personalised Matching Service for Students enables those in full-time education to be matched with a therapist prepared to lower their usual fees to help out this especially vulnerable group.

As welldoing.org CEO Louise Chunn says, "When we recently surveyed our therapist members about the last 12 months, we found that many are seeing a lot more students than usual; they are concerned at increasing levels of anxiety and depression as these young people feel more and more alienated and upset about the effect of the pandemic on their university experience. It is a short period in life, but expectations are high, and there is a great sense of loss among students."

Why students need help now

According to a survey by the National Union of Students from the end of 2020 52% of students say their mental health has deteriorated or been affected negatively by Covid-19, but only 20% have sought mental health support. Of those seeking help only half are satisfied with how they've been supported.

Many students have found that their university counselling centres are full or that they do not qualify for the help they need.  Encouraged by universities and therapist members welldoing.org has been working for several months on developing a simple, low-cost way of accessing top quality online counselling and therapy for students who want help.

How it works

• Students to fill in a short assessment form and pay £36 VAT inclusive .
• Each client will be assessed by a professional and matched with one of more than 100 welldoing.org therapists who have offered this online student discount.
• The pay £35 per session; this will be charged with £2.50 booking fee on top.