Figure 17: Which, if any, of the following best describe any mental health issues you have experienced in the last two years? 2023 2024 2025 Mental health Separately from the disability questions, all applicants were asked about their experience of mental health issues over the last two years. Rates of mental health conditions experienced over a two-year period have remained reasonably stable since 2023, and there is some evidence of a decline in anxiety. Experience of poor mental health is more prevalent among UK applicants and those who are neurodivergent. UK applicants were significantly more likely to have experienced anxiety, depression and eating disorders, compared to international applicants. Being neurodivergent doubles the prevalence of eating disorders, with 28% of neurodivergent applicants experiencing eating disorders compared to the overall average of 12%. A small proportion of non-disabled applicants (5%) had experienced an eating disorder, suggesting that it is not always considered to be a disability by applicants themselves. 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% Anxiety Eating disorder (including Anorexeia, Bulimia, Binge eating disorder) Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) 0% 38% 37% 35% Depression 23% 24% 22% 10% 12% 12% Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) 6% 7% 7% 5% 5% 5% Personality disorder 2 5% 4% Bipolar 2 3% 4% Schizophrenia / psychosis 2 2 2 Other 1 1 1 Unite Students | Applicant Index Report 24 INTRODUCTION THEMATIC ANALYSIS WELLBEING METHODOLOGY TOPICAL ISSUES BACK TO THEMES