STUDENTS at the University of Glasgow are having to wait up to 10 months for counselling appointments, an investigation has found.

A freedom of information request from the Scottish Liberal Democrats uncovered the longest waiting times for the mental health services at the university to be 276 days - more than the length of an academic year.

The information shared reveals that despite an increase in staffing numbers, the wait of almost 40 weeks has come alongside a decrease in funding for counselling services since 2014.

Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said: “Universities and the Scottish Government have a responsibility to make sure that the welfare of all students, physically and mentally, is supported and put first.

“If a student is in need of help then they must be able to access that help as quickly as possible.”

However, the university have stressed that delays can occur for a number of reasons and said they were investing in a new support programme.

A University of Glasgow spokesperson said: “We are conscious of concerns about waiting times for counselling appointments and we are making a significant investment in additional support for the 2017/18 academic year.

“This includes an investment in our Peer Support Programme, which trains senior students to support others who may have a need to talk through issues rather than seeking professional help.”

An increase in the number of dedicated mental health counselling staff from one to eight over this period shows a shift in attitude from the university.

But with more than 950 appointments last year, some of which cover serious cases such as “suicidal ideation and thoughts of self-harm” demand is still very high for the key service.

The spokesperson added: “We are employing new staff who will provide a first point of contact for assessments, so that the time between referral and assessment is reduced.

“We have also added to our counselling staff to better meet the needs of those who need ongoing therapy.

“For urgent needs, we are continuing our award winning Priority Response programme, in which we provide up to six appointments per day for students in crisis.”

Recently, the University of Glasgow appointed a member of their senior management group as a mental health champion for the university in an attempt to combat issues affecting staff and students.

An independent consultation of the university’s mental health provisions is ongoing.

Robin Murphy of mental health charity Penumbra said: “University can be a stressful time and the right help needs to be in place quickly to prevent students experiencing difficulties from developing more serious problems which might require more intensive support.

“We believe it is vital to offer a range of support and help as early as possible that supports young people to develop coping skills, self management techniques and to build on their personal strengths and assets.”