AoC Mental Health Report 2025 reveals worryingly high numbers of young people experiencing suicidal thoughts

Nearly three-quarters (72%) of colleges have seen an increase in the number of 16 to 18-year-olds experiencing suicidal thoughts, finds Association of Colleges new report.

There is an urgent need for improved mental health investment in colleges, with 72% of further education institutions seeing a rise in suicidal thoughts among 16 to 18-year-olds.

The AoC Mental Health Report 2025 shows the influence of personal and societal forces that shape the mental health of our students. Among these, the pressures of social media stand out starkly. An overwhelming 75% of respondents have highlighted the detrimental impact of social media and cyber bullying, alongside a rise in difficulties with healthy relationships and levels of maturity (84%), impacting student mental health and wellbeing.

Kimberley Cash, Deputy Group Principal, Salford City College Group said:

"I have witnessed firsthand the complex mental health struggles that young people can face. It's heartbreaking to see students, full of potential, battling anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts.

"Our focus remains on maintaining a culture of prevention with early intervention through our innovative #WELLSTUDENT initiative, but we urgently need more investment in mental health services to provide the support they desperately need. Without it, we risk losing too many bright, ambitious young people to these invisible battles."

The report which surveyed 70 colleges across the country finds that staff wellbeing remains a priority for colleges, with 99% colleges establishing formal structures to support staff. 91% of colleges provide health and wellbeing sessions focused on stress management, resilience building and emotional wellbeing, as part of this work.

The report’s author, Jen Hope, Area Director (E&W Midlands) Senior Policy Lead - Mental Health said:

“As this report shows, it is vital that policymakers prioritise investment in preventative mental health strategies if we are to comprehensively and sustainably support student and staff wellbeing.

“There is now clear evidence that early interventions are cost-effective. Every £1 million spent on child and adolescent mental health services returns an estimated £4.25 million in combined benefits to individuals and in savings to the Government.

“Investing in mental health in colleges reduces NHS expenditure and improves long-term social outcomes. With the NHS England 10-Year Health Plan and the Government’s Plan for Change, there is a unique opportunity to strengthen collaboration and secure vital funding for colleges.”

Responding to the continued high levels of negative mental health, colleges are increasingly adopting proactive measures such as trauma-informed practice and social prescribing to support student wellbeing, alongside traditional therapeutic intervention. All support requires adequate funding to be sustainable, yet mental health and enrichment remain unfunded in further education.

Positively, there has been a notable decrease in the percentage of colleges reporting an increase in mental health disclosures among students aged 16–18, dropping from 95% in 2023 to 81% in 2025. Similarly, undisclosed mental health concerns among adult learners have declined, indicating the effectiveness of college interventions.

Guidance:

• Read the full report here.
• Mind’s The Big Mental Health Report calculates that poor mental health costs £300 billion a year in England alone, double the NHS annual budget.
• The Children and Young People Mental Health Coalition (CYPMHC) highlight that 75% of mental health problems present before the age of 24, increasing the likelihood of needing formal mental health support as an adult.
• The economic argument made in CYPMHC’s Future Minds Report states that it is 100 times cheaper to treat a young person in the community than as an inpatient. For every £1 invested in child and adolescent mental health services, the return on investment is an estimated £2.85 in benefits to individuals, and an additional £1.40 in savings to the Government.
• The Association of Colleges (AoC) represents and promotes the interests of further education colleges in the UK. The AoC works to ensure that colleges have the resources and support needed to provide high-quality education and training to students.