Recent ONS research has shown that students are reporting worse key wellbeing measures, such as lower life satisfaction and increased loneliness, compared to that of the general adult population.
Of course it might be fair to expect a general decline in wellbeing amongst the wider population given current pressures on society. The cost of living crisis is having a significant impact on everyone – and the relationship between money and mental health is clear.
But why the disparity between students and the broader population? Why are students affected more negatively than others?
The statistics show a difference that simply can’t be ignored. Twenty four per cent of students report low life satisfaction compared to 10 per cent of adults and 16-29 year olds, and 30 per cent reported low happiness scores compared to 13 per cent of adults and 12 per cent of 16-29 year olds. Additionally, 17 per cent of students are feeling lonely, compared to just 7 per cent of adults and 9% of all 16-29 year olds.
