March 12 is University Mental Health Day when all over campuses students, staff and support workers gather to talk about mental health and its importance on campus. Run jointly with Student Minds, it is a sign of the increasing concern that many have over the issue of the mental health of students, balancing the resources on offer around the country, with the need for students to build resilience.

I spoke to National Union of Students president Amira Campbell in the days before UNMD and we talked about the level of stress students are facing in the modern world. We covered:

• the political temperature of the mid-2020s and how frightening it is for many people, especially younger people
• the prospect of a declining job market where graduates specifically are not being offered jobs at the rate of previous years
• worries about high interest rates on student loans
• concerns around AI both in their course work and in their future roles.

She suspects that the role of technology and social media mean that people are better informed about what is going on in the world, but it also makes people very anxious about international events and the changing political landscape.

It made her sad, she said, that some young people coming up to university age are now thinking it isn’t worth the high cost of loans to take on a degree course. This is particularly true of those from the poorest backgrounds.

She noted too, that, in spite of all the uncertainty around the existence of the graduate premium in employment opportunities, the vast majority of graduates are glad they went to university.

Many Welldoing therapists offer discounts for full-time students. Also Welldoing has a MatchPlus Service specifically for students. For an upfront fee of £48 (including VAT) we will find you an online therapist who will offer you up to three months’ of sessions for £35 + booking fee.