The study, titled Student Mental Health in 2024: How the Situation is Changing for LGBTQ+ Students, authored by Michael Sanders and Julia Ellingwood, was highlighted in an article by Juliette Rowsell in Times Higher Education on February 20, 2025.

Tripling of Reported Mental Health Issues

The report indicates that nearly one in five (18%) UK undergraduates reported experiencing mental health difficulties in 2024, a threefold increase from 6% in 2017. This surge suggests that approximately 300,000 students are currently facing mental health challenges. While the COVID-19 pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis have exacerbated these issues, the upward trend predates these events, pointing to deeper systemic factors.

Disparities Among Demographic Groups

The data reveals significant disparities across different student demographics. Female students are twice as likely to report mental health difficulties compared to their male counterparts (22% vs. 11%). However, LGBTQ+ students exhibit the highest rates of mental health challenges. In 2024, 42% of bisexual and lesbian students reported mental health issues, up from 35% and 32% respectively in the previous year. Transgender students reported a notable increase from 25% in 2023 to 40% in 2024.

Call for Comprehensive Support Strategies

Michael Sanders, TASO’s academic lead and professor of public policy at King’s College London, emphasised the urgent need for targeted interventions, stating that LGBTQ+ students and women are disproportionately affected by the rise in mental health issues. Omar Khan, chief executive at TASO, advocates for a public health approach to student mental health, urging higher education institutions to integrate mental health support into retention initiatives and ensure services are accessible to at-risk groups, including LGBTQ+ students, women, and those from state schools.

Implications for Higher Education Providers

The findings underscore the necessity for higher education providers to implement comprehensive mental health strategies that address the unique needs of diverse student populations. This includes clear signposting of available services, proactive outreach to vulnerable groups, and the integration of mental health support into broader institutional frameworks.

For further details, the full report is available on TASO’s website: .