How do we reduce student loneliness? Mental Health Awareness Week

Mental health is always at the top of our minds at CRM Students, but this is especially true today as we enter Mental Health Awareness Week.?

Across the country people are focussing on the experience of loneliness, its effect on our mental health and how we can all play a part in reducing loneliness in our communities.

More than one in four university students feel lonely ‘often or always’

Sometimes it’s easy to forget that behind the socialising, Instagram posts and studying, students often experience feelings of loneliness. A 2021 study by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) found that more than one in four university students feel lonely ‘often or always’. The feeling is more pronounced with younger students, with a third reporting that they feel lonely frequently.

So what can we do about it? How can we help our residents reduce loneliness?

Students can miss their families so it is important they feel a part of ours

Across all of the properties that we manage, our site teams are busy ensuring there is a good sense of community. For Sophie, our Accommodation Manager at Cosmos in Sheffield, this is her number one priority when it comes to mental health.

“I feel it is important to build a great community. It is vital students feel at home when living here. Students can miss their families so it is important they feel a part of ours!”

“We have a great relationship with the students here and tend to know people by their first name. Students here know they are welcome to come and talk to any member of the team whether it be me, the Assistant Manager, the CSA or the cleaning and maintenance team. We are always on hand!”

Managing a building with hundreds of students can be challenging. Each student is an individual and has a unique personality. Some are outgoing, whilst some prefer more one-to-one time. Sophie and her team hold events like bingo nights, Easter egg hunts, as well as regular basketball, pool and chess tournaments for students to meet new people. But she also has an ‘open-door’ policy when it comes to student relations, “We regularly get students come and talk to us at the desk or take us away somewhere for a chat. We always make time for them, and who doesn’t like a drink and a natter?”

Whilst Sophie’s work is brilliant, it isn’t a one-off. All our site teams have been hard at work developing a community and reducing loneliness.

This week across our properties, and in Head Office, we are hosting special events to raise awareness. We will also be fundraising for our charity partner, Student Minds, who do great work at helping students through their time at university.