A Comparative Analysis of Mental Health among Higher Education Students through the Perspective of National Unions of Students across Europe - Report Overview

Oct 15, 2026

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A comparative research report examines mental health and student wellbeing among higher education students during the COVID-19 pandemic, viewed through the work of national unions of students across Europe. Using survey data from 2020 (quantitative) and 2021 (follow-up) the study evaluates how priority and actions changed across local, national, and institutional levels. It summarizes government and institutional initiatives, support services, staff training, and stigma-reduction approaches, supported by participating unions and acknowledgements.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages33

Reading Time1 h 23 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Disclaimer

Introduction

National Union of Students

Surveys by the National Unions of Students on Mental Health

Appendix

AComparative Analysis of Mental Health among Higher Education Students through the perspective of National Unions of Students across Europe European Students ' Union Table of Contents Abstract Participation by national unions of students in the surveys Acknowledgements Disclaimer Introduction National Union of Students Mental health on the agenda of the NUS Mental health on the agenda of the local member unions Higher Education Institutions i.e. the Local Level Mental health on the agenda of the higher education institution Support Services provided by the Institutions Staff training to Support Students Curriculum Design Governmental Initiative Breaking the Stigma Good Practices Great Initiatives from outside of the NUSes Great initiatives by the National Unions Outstanding NUS Campaigns on Mental health Surveys by the National Unions of Students on Mental Health Appendix 2020 survey questions 2021 survey questions Participation by national unions of students in the surveys In this section, the countries and their national unions of students who participated in the surveys are listed. Spring 2020, survey participants: Iceland (LIS), Slovakia (SRVS), Italy (UDU), Denmark (DSF), Sweden (SFS), the Netherlands (ISO, LSVb), Germany (FZS), Ireland (USI), Georgia (GSOA), Switzerland (VSS-UNES-USU), Lithuania (LSS), Croatia (CSC), Finland (SAMOK, SYL), Belarus (BSA, BOSS), Belgium (VVS), Austria (ÖH), Ukraine (UAS), Slovakia (SRVS), Estonia (EÜL), Romania (ANOSR), Norway (NSO), Cyprus (POFEN), Latvia (LSA), Hungary (HÖOK), Malta (KSU), France (FAGE), Spain (CREUP), Slovenia (SSU), Scotland (NUS Scotland), Northern Ireland (NUS-USI) Spring 2021, Follow-up survey participants: Belgium (VVS), Croatia (CSC), Lithuania (LSS), Finland (SAMOK, SYL), Germany (FZS), Czech Republic (SKRVS), Slovenia (SSU), Iceland (LIS), Denmark (DSF), France (FAGE), Poland (PSRP), Switzerland (VVS-UNES-USU), Slovakia (SRVS), Estonia (EÜL), the Netherlands (ISO, LSVb), Ireland (USI) Acknowledgements The co-chairs from LSVb and VVS thank all the people who made A Comparative Analysis of Mental Health among Higher Education Students possible. Over the period of approximately two years, a small team of 13 people wrapped their heads around this report and the two surveys that were conducted: Jasper Kars (LSVb), Ivy Dirksen (LSVb), Roos van Leeuwen (LSVb), Julien de Wit (VVS), Leandro Strome (VVS), Ruben Janssens (VVS, ESU), Kristel Jakobson (EÜL, ESU), Joonatan Nõgisto (EÜL), Kristin Pintson (EÜL), Ciara Kealy (USI), Marie Lyons (USI), Matej Bílik (SRVS), Urša Leban (ESU). The data provided by the 33 National Unions of Students was crucial in the creation of the report. Therefore we would like to thank the unions for their cooperation during this rather difficult time amid a historic pandemic. 1 During the COVID-19 pandemic, students in higher education experienced mental health issues whereby National Unions Students & local unions, Higher Education Institutions, and governments played a role in addressing them. Mental health and wellbeing among students have been analysed by external actors as the topic has been talked about already prior to the start of the pandemic. However, previous research indicates that students’ mental wellbeing is not a concern on the local or national level. Neither has it been documented on a European level looking into its priority among actors in higher education. ¹ The authors of this survey used the survey from 2020 to have quantitative data, and a follow-up survey in 2021 for qualitative data in order to carryout a comparative analysis of the mental health of higher education students during COVID-19 through the perspective of the National Unions of Students on the local, national and institutional levels. Abstract As expected, during the pandemic, the analysis has shown that students’ mental wellbeing has increased in priority (or remained as a priority)

FAQs

What sources does the report use to compare students’ mental health actions across Europe?

It uses survey inputs from national unions of students collected in 2020 and a qualitative follow-up in 2021 to carry out a comparative analysis across local, national, and institutional levels.

How did the pandemic affect the priority of student mental wellbeing according to the report?

The analysis indicates that during the pandemic, students’ mental wellbeing increased in priority (or remained a priority) across many local, national, and institutional contexts, with additional initiatives in higher education institutions in Northern and Western Europe.

What limitations does the report note about the survey information?

The data depends on self-assessment by NUSes and can differ based on how practices are viewed, measured, and rated. Individual survey respondents and the subjective nature of self-assessment may also influence results.

Oct 15, 2026

Upload by Connor