Anxiety at university: don't feel you're alone Despite this, we are witnessing an increase in the number of students who approach us for help, which should send a clear message to other troubled students that they are not alone in how they are feeling. Specialist student counselling and well-being teams are hard at work providing advice and guidance to students who require support. These in-house teams perform a unique and vital function, having a direct and often immediate impact on students who may be otherwise unable to access counselling support in a suitable or timely way. On the occasion that a student requires further care, such as psychological therapies or psychiatric services, universities maintain good relationships with the appropriate providers to ensure a smooth pathway of care. We commonly find that it is not freshers who seek support in the first few weeks of a new term, as they tend to be immersed in the buzz of their new surroundings, meaning problems do not always surface immediately. Generally, the people we see initially tend to be returning students who know what lies ahead and may be daunted by how they'll manage. As the months progress, it is normal for the queries to increase, leading into the summer term where exam and coursework deadlines trigger a wave of queries and visits from students. Our first priority as counsellors is to reassure individuals that, however minor (or major) their problem may seem, they are supported by an experienced team that understands what they're going through, and whose role it is to alleviate the worry. Issues playing on the minds of students are more likely to be related to personal experiences than their academic studies. While these difficulties may impact their learning, this is often not the root cause of the distress. In recent data we collected, the most common issue reported was anxiety. Other frequent concerns were depression (21%), troubled relationships (13%), self and identity issues (8%), with academic studies at the lower end of the scale (7%). Perhaps unsurprisingly, we're also seeing an increase in queries from students struggling with problems relating to their finances. It's important that students feel supported and recognise that mental health issues can be effectively treated. Those who take the brave step of taking action always report feeling glad they did so. There is an inextricable link between student well-being and academic outcomes and no student should feel they have nowhere to turn. For those who attend university, the experience is likely to be one of the most exciting and challenging times of their life, and one that should not be overshadowed by mental ill health - so if you're worried about anything, do not suffer in silence; your university will not only support you academically but emotionally as well. Gail Ashton is a Counsellor, Student Services at Glyndŵr University Check out our Student Life and Student Finance pages for more advice