A Needs Assessment Study on the Experiences and Adjustments of Students in a Philippine University: Implications for University Mental Health

Abstract

Studying in a university is a challenging chapter in an adolescent’s life. Besides the stress and pressure from academic work, students have to deal with the challenge of transitioning from high school to college. Stress and distress associated with university experiences can impact mental health, and in turn, students’ academic performance. This paper highlights some insights from a needs assessment project that explored students’ perspectives on their university experiences and their own mental health. The researchers utilized a mixed methods research design, where 305 students accomplished online surveys and 20 students participated in focus group discussions. Integrative analysis of data was guided by Kirsh et al.’s (2016) socioecological focus on interrelated self, social, and environmental influences on student mental health. Results converge with existing studies indicating the need for academic institutions to examine and change their learning culture to one that explicitly acknowledges the role of mental health in student learning and well-being.