Study says young university students are at risk of depression and anxiety

Attending university is associated with an increased risk of depression, in the UK at least, according to a study. — AFP

ACCORDING to UK researchers, young people in higher education could face an increased risk of anxiety and depression, whatever their socioeconomic status. This observation could be taken into account to implement new strategies designed to safeguard young people, whose mental health has declined in recent years.

Mental health is a global concern in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2022, the World Health Organisation (WHO) urged "mental health decision makers and advocates to step up commitment and action to change attitudes, actions and approaches to mental health, its determinants and mental health care.