Huge rise in students seeking counselling

The number of students seeking counselling in Scotland has soared over the past four years, with figures almost doubling at some institutions.

FOI request has shown that the number of students seeking counselling at Edinburgh University grew by 95% between 2012-13 and 2015-16, with increases also seen at St Andrews and Glasgow universities.

In some years, more than half of students using such services were in their fourth year – the final year for most students.

Mental health experts say the rise is partly due to the stigma surrounding using such services decreasing.

At St Andrews, a rise of 8% was seen over the four years from 878 to 945, while at Glasgow a rise of 10% occurred, from 1,052 to 1,171.

In Edinburgh in 2012-13, 785 of 1,192 users – 65% – were fourth years, and the following academic year, 855 of 1,350 – a similar proportion – were.

Calum Irving, director of mental health charity See Me Scotland, said: “These results show that more people are asking for help at universities.”

Ronnie Millar, director of the student counselling service at Edinburgh University, said: “It is encouraging that more students are coming forward to get the support they need.”