Student-Led Initiatives for Mental Health in Europe: Nightline Europe

Why is student mental health (SMH) relevant to a discussion on engaged communities and student participation in Europe? In 2022, 40% of Higher Education students in the European Union experience mental health or well-being difficulties (European University Association). Without support, poor mental health - and mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety - result in many students dropping out of university and/or facing ongoing mental health challenges in later life. Tackling poor SMH requires prevention around the underlying factors, as well as improved access to diagnosis and treatment, including empowering students with mental health literacy to seek help when necessary. However, across Europe, both prevention and treatment remain underfunded and underprioritised.

‘Peer-to-peer’ services such as Nightlines help to bridge this gap. Nightlines are run by volunteer students providing free and confidential night-time listening helplines for their peers during times of anxiety, stress or isolation. Many Nightlines also undertake research, advocacy and promotion work around SMH. In October 2023, a new network of Nightlines was launched in Europe to enhance best practice on SMH in Europe and to connect existing and future Nightlines. The network now has 28 members from Austria, France, Germany, Ireland and the UK, and 1000 student volunteers. These volunteers are committed to the well-being of their peers and to removing the taboo and barriers for action on SMH in Europe. Our presentation will therefore also set out the work of the Nightline Europe network, sharing research findings and institutional recommendations from our forthcoming report on the state of play of SMH in Europe - including the essential role of student-driven initiatives.