Across Europe, mental health in higher education has become a growing concern. From rising academic pressures to the lingering effects of the pandemic, students and staff alike are experiencing high levels of stress, anxiety and emotional exhaustion. Despite greater awareness and more open discussion, many universities still face gaps in how they respond to these challenges.
At the centre of the MindED Pathways Project is a simple but urgent question: how can we make mental wellbeing a shared priority across university life?
A Complex, Worsening Picture
Recent data paints a troubling picture. According to surveys conducted across EU member states, around 40% of higher education students report mental health difficulties during their studies, with anxiety, depression and loneliness among the most common issues. These figures are mirrored by reports from the European Students’ Union, which highlights that mental health support remains inconsistent and underfunded across the region.
In many cases, universities rely heavily on counselling services that are overstretched and under-resourced. At the same time, educators and academic staff are increasingly aware of student wellbeing but often feel unequipped to respond, particularly as mental health needs become more complex.
This gap between awareness and action calls for a wider shift — not just new services, but new ways of thinking.
Moving Beyond Crisis Response
The MindED Pathways Project recognises that mental health cannot be addressed by isolated interventions alone. It requires a broader, more connected approach — what we call a whole university approach. This means embedding mental health into how universities operate day to day: in teaching, in policy, in communication, and in how students and staff engage with one another.
Our aim is to help institutions build supportive cultures, not just support services. The Wellness Framework being developed in Work Package 2 will offer practical guidance for universities to do exactly that — by tackling stigma, improving mental health literacy, and encouraging emotional resilience at all levels of campus life.
This work is grounded in research and co-designed with students, staff and support teams across Europe. It’s also supported by the development of an AI-powered social prescribing tool, which will make it easier for students to access activities and services that support their wellbeing, in ways that are tailored to their individual needs.
A Shared Responsibility
Improving mental health in higher education is not only about solving a crisis — it's about creating conditions where students and staff can thrive. This requires shared responsibility, backed by evidence, clear strategies, and inclusive tools that reflect the diversity of Europe’s university communities.
As MindED moves forward, our focus remains on delivering practical, scalable solutions — built not only on what the research tells us, but on what people in universities say they need.
Together, we can shape a more compassionate and connected future for higher education.