Student Mental Health Rights in the UK: What You’re Entitled To

When you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, or burnout as a student in the UK, you’re not alone—and you’re not without support. Student mental health rights, the legal and institutional protections that ensure students access timely, free, and appropriate mental health care while studying. These rights aren’t just policies on a website—they’re real, enforceable supports built into the NHS and university systems. Whether you’re a local student or an international one, you have the right to be heard, to be treated without stigma, and to get help before things get worse.

These rights connect directly to other key supports. NHS mental health support, free counseling, therapy, and crisis services available to all registered students through GP referrals or self-referral is one of the biggest. You don’t need to pay for it. You don’t need to prove you’re "bad enough." You just need to ask. University mental health services, on-campus counseling, peer support groups, and academic adjustments offered by student wellbeing teams are another layer. Many universities now offer 24/7 helplines, digital therapy apps, and extensions on deadlines if your mental health dips. And if your university says "we don’t have that service," they’re wrong—there are minimum standards they must meet under the Equality Act 2010.

These systems don’t always work perfectly. Waiting lists can be long. Some staff aren’t trained well. But knowing your rights changes the game. You can ask for a referral to NHS Talking Therapies. You can request reasonable adjustments like extended deadlines or remote exams. You can file a formal complaint if you’re ignored. And you’re not expected to do it alone—student unions have welfare officers trained to help you navigate this. The posts below cover exactly how to access these services, what to say when you’re scared to speak up, how to get accommodations without shame, and what to do if your university fails you. You’ll find real stories from students who got help, step-by-step guides to requesting support, and clear breakdowns of what your university legally owes you. No fluff. No jargon. Just what you need to take back control of your wellbeing.