Aberdeen is a top 10 uni for student satisfaction with mental health services

Aberdeen is a top 10 university for student satisfaction with mental health services, according to our newly released Mental Health Rankings 2017.

Aberdeen also spends more per applicant to the university's counselling and wellbeing services – £360.36 – than the national average, £334.28

The Tab's Mental Health Rankings 2017 is the only study to assess UK universities' ability to care for students with mental health issues. You can see the full rankings here.

Now in their second year, the rankings cover 47 universities across the country.

They pull together information about how well universities fund their mental health services, how long students have to wait for help, and how satisfied students are with their university's mental health services.

Over 9,000 students completed our mental health survey this year, and told us about their experiences.

Universities have a duty of care for their students, and mental health falls squarely under this.

We're aiming to paint the truest picture of mental health at university, and how it's handled.

19 universities spent more per student than Aberdeen, and 12 spent more per applicant to the university's services. Our findings show that Aberdeen spent £20.31 per student (the national average is £21.80), and £360.36 per applicant, above the average of £325.90.

As a result, Aberdeen's finance score is 17.23 of a possible 40. The national average was 17.29.

For satisfaction, Aberdeen ranked 9 out of 47 in our survey. Aberdeen scored 34.41 of a possible 40, against a national average of 34.55.

Of the 15 universities to return data for waiting times, Aberdeen came second to last.

Overall, Aberdeen was ranked 23 out of 47.

Professor Margaret Ross, Vice-Principal (People Strategy), said: "The safety and well-being of our studetns continues to be a top priority, and we have a range of servies that are designed to help our students during time with us.

"The University launched its Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy last year, and since then we have enhanced the range of mental health services that are available to students. A Mental Health Adviser is not in post bringing professional expertise to both students and staff. The post has enhanced the existing team of fully trained and experienced advisers within Student Support Services who continue to meet with sutdents to discuss their concerns confidentially. In addition, more than 100 members of University and AUSA staff have completed mental health first aid training.

"Our new online Student Help Guide and recently recamped Cluedup website to detail the University's support mechanisms. An information leaflet for parents and families has also been prepared to provide reassurance on the support available to studetns whilst they are studying here at Aberdeen. These services include the Counselling Service; The Multi-faith Chaplaincy; Welfare support in the Halls of Residence through a Community Liaison Officer and a team of Student Resisdent Assistants; Students4Students providing first year peer mentoring system; AUSA Student Advice Centre; AUSA Nightline listneing service; Student Learning Service for academic matters and the 24/7 Big White Wall online counselling and support service."