EXCLUSIVE: Huge difference in mental health support at Scotland's 15 universities

An investigation carried out by us has found a huge difference in the mental health support on offer to students across all of Scotland's universities.

Figures obtained by us show the number of free counselling sessions available to students ranges from a total of 4 to unlimited drop-ins.

Mental health issues affect 1 in 4 people in the UK and the most likely age to be impacted is late teens and early twenties.

Here's a full list of what free services the universities offer:

• Aberdeen - No limit - but "depends of availability"
• Abertay - Maximum of 12 counselling sessions
• Dundee - 6 counselling sessions
• Stirling - 6 counselling sessions
• Strathclyde - 6 counselling sessions
• Glasgow Caledonian - 6 counselling sessions
• Glasgow - Up to 10 counselling sessions
• Heriot Watt - Unlimited counselling and drop-in sessions
• Napier - 5 counselling sessions
• Queen Margaret - "Minimum of 4 counselling sessions"
• Robert Gordon - 6 counselling sessions
• St Andrews - Unlimited but "no long-term support"
• University West of Scotland - Could not provide information
• Edinburgh - Up to 10 counselling sessions
• University of Highlands and Islands - "Does not hold information"

In total all 15 universities spend £2,776,528 annually on mental health support for students, and employ over 65 members of staff.

Victoria Neill used to attend Edinburgh University but told us she was forced to switch to Heriot Watt because she felt let down by their mental health support after her Dad passed away.

Edinburgh University told us it runs an "effective" system and provides around 400 appointments a week for students.

Eileen Xhu has borderline personality disorder and has struggled to access appropriate mental health support while at Uni. She is now a Disabled Students' (Liberation) Officer at Edinburgh Uni and campaigns for more support.