STUDENT mental health problems have almost tripled, with many dropping out due to financial distress caused by the cost-of-living crisis, according to research published yesterday.

The analysis came as 30 charities urged the government to take action to prevent people becoming mentally ill and to reduce long waiting lists for support.

The proportion of university undergraduates who said they had experienced mental health difficulties rose from 6 per cent to 16 per cent — about one in six — betweeen 2016-17 and 2023-23, according to the study by the King’s College London policy institute and the Centre for Transforming Access and Student Outcomes in Higher Education (Taso).