The mental health of university students is a growing public health concern (1). Findings from population-based studies in the USA, UK and Norway point to a significant increase in mental distress among students over the last decade (2-5). Around 5% of young people in the UK have a diagnosis of either anxiety or depression, and the rate of people attending university has doubled in the past twenty years (6). For many the transition to university coincides with a developmentally high-risk period for the emergence of mental health concerns (7-9). This risk may be made worse by the need to adjust to a new social and academic environment whilst at the same time becoming financially independent (8, 10). This period could be particularly risky for students who have faced adversity, are socially disadvantaged (11), or for people who find it harder adjust to new social groups (8, 9). Few long-term studies have looked at these issues (12). While some evidence has shown how many students are likely to experience a mental disorder and use a mental health service at university (13); we do not currently know how much mental health need occurs prior to university attendance. By understanding this and any risk factors for the emergence and development of mental health need at this transition we could inform support-based prevention for students. This study aims to use data collected in ALSPAC to understand the risk university attendance poses on mental health and service use for a mental health reason among young people.

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