FORTY-FIVE per cent of York students have a mental health condition, and mental wellbeing has overtaken things like sexual health, drugs and alcohol as a main area of concern for students.

Now the city’s universities and colleges are to work together on a task group to address the issues, and look at how services can be improved to help students.

A report to York’s Health and Wellbeing Board on Wednesday showed that in a survey of 1,800 students, 45 per cent reported a diagnosed or undiagnosed mental health condition. Students said everything from academic pressures to finance, social relationships and physical health problems affected their wellbeing.

The board agreed a multi-agency partnership should drive the student health agenda in York, and the existing York Student Mental Health Network is to start looking at student health and wellbeing more broadly.

Emily Taylor, operations manager at Higher York, which represents the two universities, Askham Bryan College and York College, said: “The student health needs assessment has highlighted the impact that pressures on mental health services are having on Higher York students and our institutions’ support services, as well as on the wider local community.”

The four bodies have already invested in support for students’ health and wellbeing, and welcome the chance to work with service providers, the community and voluntary sector, she added.

“We hope this report will lead to renewed investment in mental health interventions that are appropriate and accessible for students. We look forward to building on this work through our combined expertise and continued partnership.”