We have been working on our script for our news report, (but this is still being planned and isn't the finalized copy!) We're still not sure on how long each clip will be as we've started the editing stage of the report.
Student News – Script
Is there enough mental health support for students within universities?
Start - talking about partying and student life (have montage of shots with students partying)
Hi, I’m Lucy Hopeton and this is Student Talk News. Today we are discussing mental health issues in universities and answering the question, is there enough mental health support and resources for students?
Cue shots of universities.
Cue shots of universities.
As over half a million students started university in 2017 in the UK alone, we have seen a rise in the number of students developing mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety disorders. Due to crippling debts, competitive job markets and the uncertainty of prospects after university, there is a tremendous amount of pressure on this year’s new intake of students. The pressure isn't just on students but also on universities services,which are struggling to cope with the level of demand for student support and guideince. At some universities one in four students are waiting to use counselling services. The IPPR of UK higher education providers revealed:
- At Leeds university there has been a 50% increase in demand over the past 5 years for student counselling , 12% rise this year alone.
- The University of Birmingham revealed that there has been a 5-6% annual increase in demand in the past 10 years.
Cue After Effects animations, statistics and motion graphics throughout.
According to the report from The Guardian’s annual Student Experience survey, ‘almost nine in 10 (87%) of first year students find it difficult to cope with social or academic aspects of university life’. They also discovered that 6 in 10 found the stress of studying difficult to cope with. Other factors contributing towards student’s mental health issues include isolation (44%), balancing work and study (37%), financial difficulties (37%) and living independently (22%).
We spoke to Louise Russo, someone who’s endured and experienced mental health whilst studying for her degree. She opened up to us and described the issues and lack of support whilst she was at university. This has inspired her to work for various charities campaigning for mental health support across universities in the UK with the key message that young people shouldn’t be afraid of mental health and wellbeing.
Insert interview- Interview with someone at a mental health institute
We interviewed Richard Folster, head of counselling at Kings College London, to ask about the underlining issues and the taboo surrounding mental health.
says: "A lot of difficulties are not caused by medical problems, but by normal life problems, such as family or relationship issues, or anxiety about their work."
More on statistics and reporter talking over shots to do with aspects of university life.
Reporter closes report with question for target audience to think about.
So even though that we've explored the illnesses that cause mental health issues in students attending university, there are some who … or do you think this should be addressed more?/raised as a bigger problem? etc.