In the coming weeks and months, we will continue to lobby the University for more support for our students, and will also be looking at the practical, tangible support we can offer to ease the impact of the crisis. Take a look at the pages below to see what else we are doing to support Solent Students during this time.

Cost-of-living and mental health

What impact is this having?

The current cost of living crisis is affecting everyone. Whilst most people think that University students have it easy, the cost-of-living crisis is adding a huge strain on students up and down the country.

Unfortunately, over 60% of all students questioned in a recent study [1] stated that they are now extremely worried about how the cost of living crisis is going to impact them.

This is going to have a huge impact on the mental health and wellbeing status of University students up and down the country.

Numerous studies carried out before Covid-19 and the cost-of-living crisis found that students were already suffering from their mental health due to a number of different reasons, including family issues, issues with self-image, financial strains and excessive alcohol and drug abuse [2].

The cost-of-living crisis is only going to add more stress, pressure and strain on students and their finances. We are already seeing the impact of this, with 45% of students now admitting that their mental health has gotten worse since the start of the 2022 academic year due to the cost-of-living crisis [3].

If you would like more information on how the cost-of-living crisis is affecting students, then make sure that you read the infographic here.

[1] https://www.unitegroup.com/articles/rising-cost-of-living-increases-pressure-on-parents-with-children-at-university-unite-students

[2] See the article on alcohol rehab in Hampshire.

[3] https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/educationandchildcare/bulletins/costoflivingandhighereducationstudentsengland/24octoberto7november2022