The number of students accessing counselling support at the university has more than doubled in recent years, Exeposé has found. Figures released under freedom of information laws show that 369 students accessed such sessions in the academic year 2017/18, compared with 144 students in 2016/17 and 168 students in 2015/16.
The figures also show a smaller rise in the number of students accessing cognitive behavioural therapies. 284 students accessed therapies that the university’s website describes as ‘low intensity’ in the academic year 2017/18, compared with 208 two years previously. 86 students accessed higher intensity therapies in the academic year 2017/18 compared with 65 two years ago, although 109 students accessed such therapies in the intervening year.
The figures show that the higher numbers of students accessing certain wellbeing services have emerged against a backdrop of rising spending per-user at the Reed Mews Wellbeing Centre. Wellbeing spending rose to £1.1 million in 2017/18 compared with £652,000 two years previously.
“It’s great to see that we’re heading in the right direction towards a mental health service that is able to meet the need for mental health support amongst the student population”
The Mind Your Head Society Co-President Nicole Pascual told Exeposé: “It’s great to see that we’re heading in the right direction towards a mental health service that is able to meet the need for mental health support amongst the student population. There is still a long way to go to enable all students that could benefit from wellbeing support to be able to have access to these services, but the recent rises in students accessing counselling and CBT services is very promising.”
A University of Exeter spokesperson said: “Our priority is for students to have the easiest possible access to our broad range of high quality services. As well as traditional, structured psychological therapies we offer a broad range of additional support including single sessions, drop-ins and workshops, all of which allow swifter access to support for more students.”
If these issues affect you, please get in touch with:
‘Exeter Speak Out’: www.exeter.ac.uk/speakout/report/
Guild Advice Unit: https://www.exeterguild.org/advice/
Wellbeing Service: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/wellbeing/org.uk
