I had 10 panic attacks a day, says student – as shocking stats on mental health at university revealed

A UNIVERSITY student says her first year “work overload” triggered 10 panic attacks a day.

Kali Kuszyk-Whittall, 20, initially found her first term at university “exciting,” balancing studying with making new friends and fitting into a new home.

Joseph Walshe/PinPep

Kali Kuszyk-Whittall struggled as she entered second year of uni[/caption]

Joseph Walshe/PinPep

She developed coping strategies to stop the attacks in their tracks – like running cold water over her wrists, going for walks and watching TV[/caption]

But as the second term came around, she says she underestimated how many hours she’d have to dedicate to her degree.

Studying for her modules at Birmingham City University and trying to hold down a part-time job led to Kali suffering 10 panic attacks a day.

She sought help from her GP and university therapist, each of whom gave her 10 sessions of counselling.

And Kali also developed coping strategies to stop the attacks in their tracks – like running cold water over her wrists, going for walks and watching TV.

Now, nearly a year later, she’s in a “better” place while in her second year of studies – and manages to leave the house for lectures lasting “a few hours a day.”

Kali said: “There was an initial excitement with starting uni.

“At the very beginning, it was very exciting and new – I found myself living with friends I already knew from school, which was great.

“But as the term went on, I struggled to feel like I was keeping on top of all my work – there was a pressure to feel like I knew everything in all my modules, when I didn’t.”

Kali’s story comes after a recent poll found one in 10 university students feel “constantly anxious”, with exam stress, money worries and balancing their studies with their social life among the biggest concerns.

The poll of 1,000 current and past university students found 43 per cent were often or always worried during their studies.

Kali says she had previously suffered from depression – but the panic attacks didn’t begin until six months after she started uni.

Once they were triggered, she struggled to get a grip on them – and would have to stay at home to deal with the “constant” feelings of panic.

All-in-all, Kali took four months off, while she received help.

“It was a big change from being at home to then obviously being in a whole new environment,” she said.

Many think students have it easy and say it is the best time of your life. But it can be a very stressful and worrying time for those who may be feeling anxious about how to deal with their course, manage finances or simply be away from home.

Dr Naveen Purimedical director for Bupa

“I didn’t feel like I was really understanding the work at first, as well as having to get a new place.

“There was a lot of self-doubt, really.”

Kali added: “There were lots of coping mechanisms I randomly found out for myself.

“Cold water and ice on my wrists would stop a panic attack while it was still in the beginning stages.

“I’d also use things to distract me, like listening to music, watching new shows on TV and reading new books.”

Kali completed six sessions of CBT between June and August 2024 – and it was during this time that she returned to her studies.

She now feels like she’s “getting back to being okay,” and is surviving through her course despite her struggles.

“It’s definitely not perfect, but it’s manageable, and I’m getting back to being okay,” Kali said.

One in five depressed at uni

Kali is not alone, with the recent poll finding that a fear of failure or dropping out, fitting in with their peers and coping with the pressure of what they are going to do after they graduate were among student’s concerns.

More than half (55 per cent) had moments where they questioned whether they wanted to complete their course.

First and third year students were most anxious – both 27 per cent, with the second term (35 per cent) deemed the most difficult, as the reality of university life set in.

Dr Naveen Puri, medical director for Bupa, which commissioned the research to launch its health subscription service, which gives students access to GPs and mental health support, said: “Joining university comes with a lot of worries and fears.

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A recent poll found 43 per cent of students were often or always worried during their studies[/caption]

“But often, it’s not until a little later on that these start to show, once the fun and excitement of term one has worn off and the hard work of term two begins.

“Many think students have it easy and say it is the best time of your life.

“But it can be a very stressful and worrying time for those who may be feeling anxious about how to deal with their course, manage finances or simply be away from home.”

The study also found 23 per cent often or always felt depressed while at university.

And half of those polled admitted the realisation of how hard their university degree was going to be affected their mental health.

As a result of feeling stressed or worried, 39 per cent ate more junk food while 34 per cent skipped lectures.

Others avoided socialising (33 per cent), called home more often (28 per cent) and missed deadlines (25 per cent).

But 30 per cent didn’t know who to turn to for help.

Some 38 per cent claimed their physical health impacted their ability to participate in university life, while 39 per cent said the same of their mental health.

The research, commissioned via OnePoll, also revealed the biggest barriers to accessing healthcare while at university, including worries they were overreacting (35 per cent), a lack of time (34 per cent) and fears they won’t be taken seriously (32 per cent).

Dr Naveen Puri, from Bupa, added: “For many students, taking the step to speak to a medical professional over a physical or mental health issue can be daunting, especially for those who may be used to their parents taking care of this for them.

“But it’s important to ensure students have the healthcare support they need as they navigate their studies.”