Student mental health in higher education: the contextual influence of “cuts, competition & comparison”

Author(s):  
Miles Thompson ◽  
Chris Pawson ◽  
Arianna Delfino ◽  
Alex Saunders ◽  
Holly Parker
Author(s):  
James W. Dean ◽  
Deborah Y. Clarke

It’s important to understand the finances of colleges and universities, budgeting, and sources and uses of funding. Costs at colleges and universities are increasing for a variety of reasons. Some costs involve facilities intended to attract talent, both in terms of faculty and students. Many costs involve people who do not teach, such as administrators. These individuals are doing work that is either required (government compliance) or expected (student mental health or career counseling). So, it is a stretch to sustain the argument that rising costs in higher education are singularly a function of unnecessary layers of administration. Many universities are using innovative approaches to cut costs and improve revenue streams to their institutions.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleanor Bell ◽  
Jia Pan ◽  
Christopher James Sampson ◽  
Priscila Radu

Background: Students in higher education often face mental health problems with inadequate treatment options. With COVID-19 only exacerbating the already high levels of mental health problems in the younger adult population, it is imperative policy makers have the relevant evidence to inform resource allocation and investment into student mental health services. Aim: We aim to identify and summarise economic evaluations of interventions that both prevent and treat student mental health within the UK. Method: We will conduct a review of all published economic evaluation literature relating to both students in higher education and interventions designed to prevent or treat student mental health. We will conduct a search in the following databases: PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, EconLit, PsycINFO and the National Health Service Economic Evaluation Databases (NHS EED). The review will be conducted in accordance with the PRISMA statement guidelines 2019. A database of the literature compiled as part of this systematic literature review will be made available for transparency.


Author(s):  
Anne Felton ◽  
Marissa Lambert

Purpose Student mental health is a major challenge for higher education in the twenty-first century. Students undertaking healthcare professionally affiliated courses can experience additional pressures that negatively impact on their well-being and can make it more difficult to access support. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach To address some of these challenges, the Bridge Network was established in one healthcare school in a higher education institution. It is a peer support network co-produced with students studying on healthcare courses to provide group-based support to promote mental well-being. Student peer group facilitators draw on their own lived experience of mental health challenges or of being a carer. The groups provide a safe space for students who may experience mental health difficulties to share, gain support and connect with each other. This paper explores the journey of setting up the Bridge Network. Findings Although the group has been well received and various factors have supported its establishment, there are several difficulties that the network has faced. Power imbalances between students and academic staff have been challenging for the co-produced design, alongside enabling positive and safe discloser for healthcare students. However, the network has raised the profile of mental well-being for healthcare students and encouraged supportive conversations about the issue as well as providing enriching volunteer opportunities. Practical implications The Bridge Network is an innovative development reflecting best practice within mental healthcare. However, to ensure spread and sustainability, alignment with organisational strategy is required. Originality/value The paper explores the strengths and challenges of establishing peer support for students undertaking vocational healthcare courses.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document