University of Exeter trial develops student wellbeing app

The new app aims to boost the self-esteem and confidence of students

Students are being invited to download and test a new app that aims to boost self-esteem and confidence.

The app, called Nurture-U, was developed as part of a research trial led by the University of Exeter.

It followed the university's twice-yearly surveys of 11,000 students that showed half experienced loneliness and four in 10 had high levels of worry.

Researchers said the content of the app aimed to reduce worry and increase confidence among young people.

Those who use the app will be compared with those who do not to determine if the app is better than what is already available, they said.

Rowan Calver said university could be "quite overwhelming" at times

Prof Ed Watkins, the study's chief investigator from the University of Exeter, said the idea was to create a system that was "more compassionate and more flexible".

He said anxiety and depression could be overwhelming for some students and a small number had taken their life as a result.

"Nurture-U comes from the idea that we need to try and improve our interventions for young people," he said.

"There's a real recognition of 'how do we help have systems that are more compassionate and more flexible?'

"Nurture-U aims to recommend best practice for improving student mental health and delivering a whole university approach."

'Risk of burnout'

Rowan Calver, a first-year psychology student who is involved with the project, said it was a good opportunity to learn more about her subject.

"University is a great time but it's quite overwhelming," she said.

"You're in a new place and [there are] lots of new people, financial worries, you've got to cook, you've got to meet new friends.

"There's also a risk of burnout from studying constantly."

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