Cibyl Student Mental Health Research UK 2026

Student Mental Health

Report Launch

Join Cibyl for the virtual launch of the Student Mental Health Research UK 2026, the UK's largest study exploring the mental health and wellbeing of students and recent graduates.

Conducted in partnership with Accenture UK & Ireland and supported by Student Minds, this year's research draws on the experiences of 4,637 students and graduates from more than 160 UK universities, providing unique insight into how mental health is evolving and what employers, educators and policymakers can do next.

The findings reveal a more positive picture than in recent years, with fewer respondents reporting mental health difficulties and overall wellbeing scores improving. Yet challenges remain widespread, particularly during key life transitions, around social connection and belonging, and in the growing use of AI as part of young people's support networks.

Whether you're responsible for student support, employability, talent attraction, early careers, workforce wellbeing or policy development, this webinar will help you understand what today's students and graduates need and what actions will have the greatest impact.

Who should attend?

This webinar is designed for:

Employers

Early Careers Leaders and teams
DEI and Wellbeing Leads
HR and People Teams

Educators

Careers & Employability Services
Student Support and Wellbeing Teams

Sector specialists

Mental Health Organisations
Government and Policy Stakeholders
Membership Bodies
Research and Insight Professionals
Student Engagement Specialists

What you'll learn

Progress

Why student mental health is showing signs of improvement for the first time in several years.

Impact

The continued impact of financial pressures, social anxiety and belonging on wellbeing.

Student voice

What students say would help them navigate key transition points, from starting university to entering employment.

Recruitment process

How recruitment processes are affecting graduate mental health.

AI usage

Why almost one in three students are now using AI tools to support their mental health and wellbeing.

Support

What employers and educators can do to create healthier, more supportive environments.

Recommendations

Practical recommendations tailored for employers, universities and student support teams.

Key findings from the research

67% report recent mental health difficulties

While lower than last year's figure of 75%, mental health challenges continue to affect the majority of students and graduates.

Belonging remains a critical factor

Only around half of students say they feel connected to their fellow students, falling to just 24% among those with low mental health scores.

The journey into work is a pressure point

Almost 7 in 10 graduate jobseekers say searching for work has negatively affected their mental health.

Employers can be part of the solution

Among employed graduates, 77% believe their employer supports mental health well, and nearly half say their mental health improved after starting work.

AI has entered the support ecosystem

One in three students report using AI tools to support their mental health or wellbeing, creating new opportunities and responsibilities for employers and educators alike.

Employers

Educators

Student Mental Health Research UK 2026 - Report Launch

Mental health is improving. But the work is far from done.

Report Launch

Who should attend?

What you'll learn

Key findings from the research

Tuesday 17 November 2026

Webinar | 10.00am - 11.30am

Register now