{
  "id": 15369884,
  "title": "FILLING A GAP: Disabled students face increased mental health risks, UWC student researcher finds",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/filling-a-gap-disabled-students-face-increased-mental-health-risks",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-10-18T07:20:32.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Maverick",
    "slug": "daily-maverick",
    "url": "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-10-18-uwc-student-researcher-gives-disabled-students-a-voice/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In a groundbreaking study led by a researcher at the University of the Western Cape (UWC), it has been found that over 80% of students with disabilities screen positive for depression. This startling statistic highlights the mental health challenges faced by these students on South African campuses. Amy-Jean Viljoen, the lead researcher and a PhD candidate, has dedicated her career to advocating for students with disabilities, drawing from her own experiences with learning challenges in primary school. Viljoen, who does not have a disability, was inspired by the inclusion of a family member with a paralysis, which taught her the importance of recognizing and supporting those who are often overlooked. Despite her own struggles in school, Viljoen now champions the cause of students with disabilities, emphasizing that disability is an inherent part of life rather than a defining characteristic. The study, conducted over two-and-a-half years, surveyed 229 undergraduates with disabilities at UWC, Stellenbosch University, and the University of Cape Town. Key findings revealed that over 80% of participants exhibited depressive symptoms, 74% showed signs of probable post-traumatic stress disorder, 55% reported high levels of hopelessness, and approximately 69% experienced loneliness. The researchers caution that these results do not constitute clinical diagnoses but indicate a significant risk of disengagement due to clinical stress and comorbidity. Viljoen notes that invisible disabilities, such as ADHD and autism spectrum disorders, are also prevalent among students who choose not to register with disability units, leading to undetected and unsupported individuals. UWC's Dean of Community and Health Sciences, Prof Anita Padmanabhanunni, stresses the need for universities to conduct systematic assessments of the adequacy and accessibility of disability and mental health support services. This study fills a crucial gap in South African research, providing important evidence that universities must address the diverse needs of their students with disabilities through accessible, coordinated, and responsive support services.",
  "summary": "More than 80% of students with disabilities screened positive for depression in a new study led by a researcher at the University of the Western Cape. Behind the figures is a psychologist whose own struggles at school turned research into a calling.",
  "key_points": [
    "Over 80% of disabled students screen positive for depression",
    "74% show signs of probable post-traumatic stress disorder",
    "69% experience loneliness on South African campuses"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The high prevalence of depressive symptoms and trauma among disabled undergraduates signals a critical failure in university support systems to provide the accessible and coordinated mental health services required.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}