Surge in students struggling with stress

Elite universities have experienced a big rise in students seeking counselling, with the number of those asking for help rising by two thirds over the past five years.

Charities say huge pressure is being placed on mental health and other support services because of the increased demand.

Figures obtained by The Times using Freedom of Information requests showed a rise of 68 per cent in the number of students using counselling services at Russell Group universities since 2011. The Nightline Association has also experienced a rise in demand for its student-run support services. Calls to its teams rose by 96 per cent in Oxford and 147 per cent in Leeds.

“There is an increased pressure now on students going to university because of the financial…