Mental Health

Owned by Darlene Edgar
Last updated: Apr 11, 2024
5 min read

Drysdale, M. T. B., Donnovan, R., & Callaghan, S. (2022). Student mental health in higher education: Discourse on Reddit reveals contributing factors and solutions. International Journal of Health, Wellness & Society, 12(1), 54–68. https://research.ebsco.com/c/4ax45t/viewer/pdf/ctfqmmiiyr

The study titled "Student Mental Health in Higher Education: Discourse on Reddit Reveals Contributing Factors and Solutions" explores the discourse surrounding mental health issues among university students, particularly focusing on discussions on Reddit. Here are the key findings and themes discussed in the study:

  1. Prevalence of Mental Health Issues:

    • Over 50% of university students in Canada reported experiencing depression to the point of it being difficult to function, with 10% reporting intentional self-harm.

    • A significant percentage of higher education students reported considering suicide, with some attempting suicide. The most common crises among students included suicidal ideation, threatening behavior, and self-harm.

  2. Contributing Factors to Mental Health Struggles:

    • Negative interactions with faculty and staff, including perceptions of deliberate abuse when students requested accommodations.

    • Lack of social support, toxic relationships, social isolation, and dismissive attitudes from family members.

    • Low self-efficacy, internal pressure, imposter syndrome, and feelings of inadequacy.

    • High workload, competitive environments, and unrealistic academic standards.

    • Difficulty accessing resources and services on campus, including inadequate mental health support.

  3. Coping Strategies:

    • Positive interactions with faculty and staff, supportive social networks, and high levels of self-efficacy were identified as factors that improve coping.

    • Access to appropriate resources and services, balanced workload, and engagement in self-care activities such as exercise, meditation, and peer support were mentioned as coping mechanisms.

  4. Mental Health Crisis Theme:

    • Discussions revolved around the prevalence of mental illness in society, campus, and national suicide rates, as well as comparisons between higher education institutions.

    • Factors impacting mental health in society also contributed to the mental health of students on campus.

  5. Institutional Policies and Practices:

    • Lack of transparency, inadequate resources, and current allocation of funds were highlighted as institutional barriers.

    • Some institutions were criticized for not addressing mental health issues effectively, with calls for more policies and practices supporting student well-being.

  6. Solutions:

    • Collaborative priority setting involving input from all levels of the university community was suggested.

    • Recommendations included improving conditions, increasing mental health services, and promoting transparency around mental health projects and budgets.

    • Suggestions were made to embed mental health content into courses and shift the teaching focus from grades to learning outcomes.

  7. Implications and Recommendations:

    • The study highlights the need for more qualitative research on mental health and suicide prevention.

    • Recommendations include providing remote delivery options for mental health services, promoting open discussions on mental health, and embedding mental health content into academic curricula.

  8. Limitations:

    • Limitations include the potential presence of trolls or false data on Reddit and the lack of comparative analysis between different user groups. Additionally, the study focused on what was present in the discourse rather than what was missing.

Overall, the study provides valuable insights into the discourse surrounding student mental health on Reddit and offers recommendations for addressing mental health issues in higher education institutions.

 

Stegenga, S. M., Sinclair, J., Knowles, C., Storie, S. O., & Seeley, J. R. (2021). Lived experiences of mental health in higher education: A comparative analysis of determinants to supports and services. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=sso&db=pdh&AN=202

The study titled "Lived Experiences of Mental Health in Higher Education: A Comparative Analysis of Determinants to Supports and Services" examines the factors influencing students' access to mental health support and services in higher education, as well as the experiences of administrators involved in providing these services. Here are the key findings and themes discussed in the study:

  1. Increasing Mental Health Challenges:

    • There has been an increase in severe anxiety and suicidal ideation among college students over the past decade.

    • Students from underserved communities, such as LGBTQIA+ individuals and students with disabilities, are at a higher risk of experiencing mental health challenges due to systemic factors like discrimination and racism.

  2. Importance of Mental Health Support:

    • Mental health challenges have significant consequences, including lower academic performance and negative occupational outcomes.

    • Suicide is the second leading cause of death on college campuses.

  3. Emerging Prevention and Intervention Strategies:

    • Strategies for mental health prevention and intervention in higher education are still evolving, with a focus on tiered approaches and legislative initiatives in some states.

    • Campus counseling services play a crucial role in supporting students, with a majority reporting improvements in academic performance and reduced attrition rates.

  4. Determinants, Supports, and Barriers:

    • Various factors influence students' access to mental health services, including systemic issues, funding challenges, and contextual barriers.

    • Students and administrators highlight the importance of early and universal screening for mental health challenges, along with the need for additional mental health training for faculty and staff.

    • Procedural barriers, such as departmental practices and campus-wide rules, also impact students' ability to access services.

  5. Shared Experiences:

    • Both students and administrators identify system-level barriers, funding issues, and contextual challenges affecting access to mental health services.

    • Students emphasize the importance of relationships and peer support, while administrators highlight stress and burnout among service providers.

    • Demand for mental health services often outpaces current provision practices, leading to staff overload and turnover.

  6. Student-Specific Barriers:

    • Students face challenges related to building positive relationships on campus, fear of academic repercussions, and limited access to services during breaks and stressful periods.

    • Administrators struggle with stress and burnout among service providers, high caseloads, and financial strain on institutions.

  7. Common Barriers:

    • System-level supports, funding shortages, and campus context (urban vs. rural) impact the availability and accessibility of mental health services.

    • Stigma and discrimination surrounding mental health challenges contribute to the reluctance of some students to seek help.

Overall, the study highlights the complex interplay of factors influencing students' access to mental health support and services in higher education and underscores the importance of addressing systemic barriers and providing adequate resources to support student well-being.

Stegenga, S. M., Sinclair, J., Knowles, C., Storie, S. O., & Seeley, J. R. (2021). Lived experiences of mental health in higher education: A comparative analysis of determinants to supports and services. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=sso&db=pdh&AN=202

  • Increase in Mental Health Challenges: Over the past decade, there has been a significant increase in severe anxiety and suicidal ideation among college students. This trend is particularly notable among underserved communities such as LGBTQIA+ students and those with disabilities, who face systemic discrimination and racism.

  • Importance of Campus Supports: Mental health challenges have serious consequences for students, including lower academic performance and increased risk of dropping out. Campus counseling services play a crucial role in supporting students' academic success and reducing mental health-related attrition.

  • Framework for Addressing Mental Health: A public health or tiered approach is considered optimal for addressing mental health needs in higher education. This framework includes universal, targeted, and tertiary support interventions, as well as legislative initiatives in some states.

  • Barriers to Accessing Services: Many students report not knowing how or where to seek professional help for mental health issues. Less than half of interventions reach full-scale use, indicating a disconnect between intervention strategies and the specific needs of students.

  • Shared Experiences of Students and Administrators:

    • System-Level Issues: Both students and administrators identified barriers such as inadequate funding, lack of awareness and support from faculty and upper administrators, and procedural hurdles in accessing mental health services.

    • Contextual Challenges: Equitable access to mental health services depends on the campus context, with smaller and rural campuses facing unique challenges such as limited resources and expertise.

    • Stigma and Discrimination: Stigma and discrimination surrounding mental health issues persist on college campuses, particularly affecting special populations such as LGBTQIA+ individuals, students of color, and first-generation students.

  • Differences in Lived Experiences:

    • Student-Specific Barriers: Students emphasize the importance of personal relationships and peer support, as well as the need for access to services throughout the school year and during low enrollment periods.

    • Administrator-Specific Barriers: Administrators face stress and burnout due to high caseloads and lack of support, leading to difficulties in filling positions and maintaining consistent service provision.

  • Common Barriers: Both students and administrators highlight system-level supports, funding shortages, and campus context as common barriers to accessing mental health services.

  • Recommendations: Strategies to address these barriers include embedding services at scale, increasing support for mental health providers, prioritizing prevention and education, and fostering positive personal relationships on campus. Additionally, addressing stigma and discrimination surrounding mental health challenges is essential for creating a supportive campus environmen