Two-fifths of mental health practitioners who work with students in the UK are considering leaving their roles in the next five years, according to a survey, with pay, workload and the increasingly complex nature of cases adding to the stresses of the job.
The University Mental Health Advisors Network (UMHAN) said the results of its member survey should act as a “wake-up call” for university leaders, the NHS and government, with student mental health again under the spotlight as the High Court considers whether universities owe a legal duty of care to their students.
A total of 104 of the society’s members – who work as specialist mental health mentors, mental health advisers and managers – took the annual survey and 40 per cent said they were considering leaving, up from a third of respondents in 2022.
Pay was the most cited reason, ahead of workload, work-related stress, the responsibilities of the role and a lack of career progression.
