Research: Are Students Really More Stressed? Re-thinking Mental Health in Young Australians

Young adults in higher education are often assumed to face greater mental health risks than their non-student peers, yet direct comparisons are limited. This research examined the mental health and wellbeing of 1,708 young Australians aged 17–25, including 828 university students and 880 non-students. It compared levels of psychological distress, wellbeing, resilience, and loneliness, and explored how employment affects these outcomes.

While a substantial proportion of all participants reported “high” to “very high” distress, the study found no overall difference in levels of distress or wellbeing between students and non-students. However, when employment was factored in, a more nuanced pattern emerged. Full-time work was associated with greater psychological distress among students, whereas those not working full-time generally reported better wellbeing and lower distress than their non-student peers.

These findings challenge the assumption that university students are inherently more at risk, highlighting the need for flexible study options, financial support, and policies that help students manage work and academic demands.

Citation: Crisp, D., Albrecht, S., & Rickwood, D. Comparing the mental health of Australian university students with that of young people who are not in higher education. Higher Education. 2025. (link)