University students who have returned home for the Christmas holidays are likely to be hiding their mental anguish amid the global pandemic.

A study by the National Union of Students has found that 52% questioned had suffered from some form of mental distress.

Of the 4,241 questioned, key themes were feeling isolated, lack of sleep, anxiety and panic attacks and inability to see new friends.

Ramsey MHK and Education Minister Dr Alex Allinson said: ’Some students have tried to make the most of it. Others have struggled, as the NUS survey shows, with only 20% seeking help in the UK. On the Isle of Man there are fears about students bringing back Covid.’

Mr Allinson said people should be sensitive to what students have been through.

’Some students have been through long periods of isolation and they’re coming back to normality here and we need to support them,’ he said.

’They are facing decisions about whether to return to the UK for their studies, or do it remotely on-island.’

Mr Allinson added that University College Isle of Man is supporting students via its pastoral care and the Department of Health and Social Care provides online counselling.

He said: ’It is OK not to feel OK and we must support students.

’They have better knowledge and experience than we do about Covid, with whole areas going into lockdown. We should be proud of their resilience.’

Manx Students Union welfare officer Emma Bowker has been isolating alone for the past two weeks and often has to remind herself of the end goal.

She says she and other students who have returned home from university have been treated as an unwelcome visitor by some residents.

’We’ve been stared at on daily walks because we’ve got masks on, looking at us like we’ve done something wrong and taking photos,’ she said.

’As a union, we’ve found that first year students have had it worse, where they’ve been locked in tiny accommodation and have had the stress of people moving to unsafe locations.

’There’s been internships cancelled and decreased part-time jobs, which is increasing people’s fears that they won’t be employed after finishing their studies.

’Students shouldn’t be valued less than Manx residents who haven’t been through what they have had to fight every day in the UK.’

Despite the doom and gloom of being seen as ’Covid-ridden’, Emma said she feels good to be home.

’I can experience normal life at home.

’Once we’re here and we’ve reintegrated into Manx society, it beats the "us vs them" mentality.’