Mental Health is something that student workers and church leaders come across every day.
1 in 4 people struggle with mental health in the UK each year. There are loads of things students go through which can negatively affect mental health and if you’re a student worker the question isn’t whether you’ll come across it, it’s when you’ll come across it.
Mental Health affects different people in different ways but there are some common conditions such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, self-harm, insomnia and addiction. Find out more about these conditions and others.
Student workers often say the most overwhelming discipleship challenge facing them today is mental health in students. Tackling mental health often involves a complex multi-faceted approach including medication, counselling, talking approaches and forming genuine relationships of which the local church can play a big part. A church family can provide a meal and a listening ear, it can provide perspective outside the intense competitive bubble of studenthood, it can provide prayer, stillness, rest and retreat.
Even though student workers are wrestling with this issue, universities are in need of help too. In fact we could be part of the answer. In every university city or town there are christian communities which could connect with students who are struggling with mental health helping them to engage with a wider perspective and a loving family. If you haven’t already try to connect with the welfare officer at your students union and work together to help students dealing with mental health.
So mental health is something that all student workers will come across, but together we can work to help those struggling and point them to the most helpful services and professional
Finding out more
For more information on how the church can help those struggling with mental health check out the Mental Health Access Pack. In our latest loveyouruni podcast, Luke and Miriam also talk about mental health and the church.
The Stuff of Life: Dealing with Mental Health
The Stuff of Life is a great resource which covers the things that students go through at university. It has practical advice on how to stay healthy mentally and physically. It’s great for student workers and students who are dealing with mental health themselves or know someone else who is.
