Slight improvement in student wellbeing

For the third time, thousands of students were surveyed about their mental health and their use of alcohol and drugs. A substantial proportion continues to struggle, according to new research by the Trimbos Institute, RIVM and GGD GHOR Netherlands.

Mental health has improved noticeably since the first survey in 2021, when many students were still dealing with the aftermath of the coronavirus lockdowns. The difference between 2023 and 2025 is much smaller.

Students also report feeling slightly more satisfied with life: their average score rose from 6 during the pandemic to 6.7 in 2023, and has now inched up to 6.8.

Loneliness has also fallen: from 79 percent in 2021 to 62 percent and 60 percent today. Students feel less pressure to perform academically as well, with that share dropping from 54 percent to 44 percent, and now 41 percent.

More than half report high stress levels

However, the problems are far from resolved. More than 80 percent of students have experienced symptoms of anxiety or depression in the past month, and roughly a quarter sometimes feel tired of life. More than half report high stress levels, mainly due to their studies, but also because of personal issues or financial worries.

Substance use

Alcohol and cannabis remain the substances most commonly used by students. One in four is considered a heavy or excessive drinker. Almost half have used cannabis at least once, and 5 percent use it weekly.

Ecstasy also remains popular: one in five students has tried it at some point, and 11 percent used it in the past year. For cocaine the figures are 10 and 5 percent, respectively. Fifteen percent have used a psychedelic drug, such as truffles or LSD.

Students living in student housing appear to use more drugs than those living with their parents. Students experiencing high stress or sleep problems are also more likely to use alcohol or drugs.

Students seek help far less often for substance-use problems (22 percent) than for mental-health issues (66 percent). Many say they simply do not feel the need.

International students

International students (18 percent of respondents) experience stress less often than in 2023, but fatigue and loneliness are more common. This group also engages in risky alcohol consumption less often, while at the same time using certain other substances, such as cannabis, more often. In addition, smoking and vaping have increased among international students.

Survey response

A total of 27,000 students from 13 universities of applied sciences and 11 research universities took part in the survey — a response rate of almost 6 percent. The question of who actually completes the questionnaire remains, since the results may be distorted if students with problems are more likely to take part.

The authors of the report acknowledge this. They stress that the numbers are not exact but do provide a meaningful picture of student mental health and substance use.

Student response

The picture remains worrying, says the Dutch Student Union (LSVb). “A generation is drowning while politicians stand by and watch,” says chair Maaike Krom. She criticises the planned cuts to education, which she believes will deal a final blow to students’ mental health, and ultimately harm projects aimed at student wellbeing.

The LSVb also highlights the housing shortage and students’ financial pressures, among other things. The union calls for a higher basic student grant, mandatory internship compensation, lower interest on student loans and more student housing. Krom: “It’s up to the politicians now.”

ISO advocates a form of ‘duty of care’ for institutions

The Dutch National Students’ Association (ISO) takes a more optimistic view. It praises the major steps educational institutions have taken in recent years, although chair Sarah Evink believes there is still much to improve: “If you don’t show up for work, someone checks in on you. In higher professional education and university settings, this almost never happens.”

ISO advocates a form of ‘duty of care’ for institutions: checking in more often with students about how they are doing. Evink also argues that the education system itself should cause less stress. She says the basic student grant should be raised and less pressure put on graduating quickly.

Response by Gouke Moes

Outgoing Education Minister Gouke Moes sees the report chiefly as confirmation that current policy is having effect. “It’s encouraging to see that students’ mental health appears to be improving,” he says. “Feeling well is a prerequisite for being able to study well.”

According to the minister, both institutions and students have worked hard on mental wellbeing, and these efforts appear to be paying off. The Ministry of Education, Culture and Science will therefore continue to support the national student-wellbeing programme (STIJN).

But Moes stresses that solutions must also come from outside the education sector. “Improving mental wellbeing is a broader societal challenge. Local cooperation between educational institutions, municipalities and the healthcare sector is essential. And of course, students’ voices must be heard as well. I speak with national student organisations, but at the local level student officials and the participation council can also play a significant role.”

Several cities already have ‘student officials’ who serve as a bridge between students and the municipal authorities. They provide input on issues such as student housing and mediate in neighbourhood conflicts when needed. Participation councils at higher education institutions also influence institutional policy, including student wellbeing.

Universities

Research universities are pleased with the improvements, says a spokesperson for the umbrella organisation UNL (Universities of the Netherlands). “Universities have worked hard to strengthen students’ sense of belonging, improve access to information and streamline guidance structures so students know where to turn with questions at their place of study.”

Student wellbeing remains a top priority for research universities, UNL adds. “It is crucial that we continue working with other organisations. The research also shows that many factors outside education affect the wellbeing of young people and students.”

The Netherlands Association of Universities of Applied Sciences was unable to comment at this time.

HOP, Naomi Bergshoeff and Bas Belleman

Translation: Taalcentrum-VU