The number of university students reaching out to mental health facilities is up by 50 per cent, according to new statistics.

This news comes as the universities minister, Sam Gyimah, has called for students to be "supported, not mollycoddled."

Analysis by the BBC, which received responses from 83 universities after submitting Freedom of Information requests, shows a possible uptick in mental health problems at university.

The number of students seeking help rose from 50,900 to 78,100 between 2012 and 2017, while budgets towards mental health services increased by 40 per cent.

Universities Minister Sam Gyimah said: "University is supposed to be an assault on the senses. It should be demanding and disorientating, and with that should come adequate pastoral care for students‎.

"This does not mean mollycoddling or cushioning students from the experiences that are part and parcel of university life, it means making sure support services are available if they need them."

Charities including the NUS have warned that students are under increasing pressure.

Stephen Buckley, Head of Information at Mind, said: “Poor mental health is a huge issue facing the entire nation, and university students are no exception. There are many reasons students might experience difficulties with their mental health, and university life poses some unique challenges. People might be expected to take on greater roles and responsibilities, but they may have left behind the social and organisational structures they relied on for support. Some will be leaving home for the first time, and neglecting to take care of themselves properly. This could include overindulging in alcohol and drugs, or failing to get a balanced diet or taking too little exercise – all of which can negatively affect our mental health.