Recommendation 68

Now, with the effects of covid-19, NUS Scotland have found that students’ mental health has further declined.157 For example, students in self-isolation, in halls of residence, trying to come to terms with where they are, what they are trying to do and who they are.158 Professor Rebecca Lunn, University of Strathclyde, told us that: With the pressure that the NHS is under, the mental health services in the NHS have shrunk and become almost non-existent in some areas. We have knowledge of people with things like eating disorders where there has been no support whatsoever during this crisis because areas of the NHS have not operated.159 153 Q74 154 Q55 155 Q55 156 Scottish Parliament, COVID-19: Scotland’s colleges and universities (1 March 2021), p 14 157 Scottish Parliament, COVID-19: Scotland’s colleges and universities (1 March 2021), p 14 158 Q93 159 Q130 30 Universities and Scotland Impact on academic staff