Loneliness, a growing concern among university students in the UK: How to handle it

London: A recent study has revealed that more than 70 per cent of students residing in the Halls of Residence (hostels) at major universities in Britain experience severe loneliness and high levels of isolation. The latest survey report suggests that addiction to mobile phones and growing living expenses prevent students from nurturing a healthy social life. 

These shocking details were revealed in the survey report of PfP Students and Opinium, which arranged accommodation facilities for university students. Thirty-three per cent of students who participated in the survey reported experiencing severe loneliness in the halls of residence. Meanwhile, 37 per cent of students experience this mental state only occasionally.

The study says that students get lonely because they rely too much on mobile phones to maintain relationships with friends back home, rather than making new friends here. “I can speak to my friends back home as I have a mobile phone. But this prevented me from meeting new people here. Initially, I was scared to make new friendships,” says Rachel Horobin, a psychology student. Rachel added that even her flatmates were reluctant to speak to her. 

Besides, the UK’s current financial situation significantly influences students' mental health. Fifty-one per cent of students are unable to engage in entertainment due to high rent, while 45 per cent struggle to meet people outside their own rooms or flats. Meanwhile, 39 per cent of people spent most of their time either studying or working. 

Most people stay in their rooms because they can’t afford to eat out or go to clubs. Interestingly, 41 per cent of students said that the architectural design of their residential halls prevents them from meeting other people. Eighty-seven per cent of students believe that the accommodation facilities they have chosen have significantly influenced their mental state.

Major findings 
These are some of the significant findings in the survey
•70 per cent of students experience a high level of loneliness
•33 per cent of students feel lonely and isolated most of the time
•37 per cent of people feel lonely only occasionally
•51 per cent do not enjoy social life due to high living expenses
•79 per cent of students desire mental health assistance

The students have been urging the authorities to appoint at least one employee at the halls of residence at all times to help them. Seventy-nine per cent of students wish for mental health services in the hostels. 

“The study dismisses the popular notion that students can find new friends as soon as they arrive at the university. The authorities are supposed to facilitate opportunities for them to meet and interact with each other,” says Emon Tierni, the managing director of PfP Students. Meanwhile, experts urge the university authorities to take such survey reports seriously, as mental health issues have become a significant topic of discussion among university students.

How to handle loneliness?
According to the British Red Cross, here are a few ways in which a person can try to cope with loneliness:
1) Try a hand at volunteering to make new friends. There are many opportunities across the UK for the same. Find details here. 
2) Try their wellbeing support for adults and children, like creating a healthy routine, making use of their resources to support stress and anxiety. Here are the details.

3) Joining workshops, get involved in your local community. 
4) Call the helpline 'Samaritans' on 116123. 
(With inputs from Onmanorama Staff)