Considering how tertiary education providers can best support the mental health and wellbeing of their students

Abstract

The topic of mental health and wellbeing is currently prevalent in society and widely represented in the media. Sometimes anxiety and depression, which are disorders with diagnostic criteria, challenge mental health and wellbeing and pose problems for society. Given this, and the added pressures of tertiary study, it is important to learn more about how to best support student mental health and wellbeing now and in the future. This article reports on a study based in Aotearoa/New Zealand, which focussed on understanding mental health and wellbeing, specifically in the tertiary education sector. The aim of the study was to develop a clear understanding of how tertiary providers can best respond to the mental health and wellbeing of their students. Data were gathered from 115 members of the general population to understand how mental health is perceived, gauge perceptions of future trends and develop a plan to support tertiary communities. Key findings suggest the tertiary environment has a significant impact on student mental health and wellbeing, and some providers may be falling short of meeting shifting needs. In addition, participants predicted that anxiety and depression will continue to impact most students, and in order to respond effectively, tertiary providers need to take a much more co-ordinated approach in order to support their students’ mental health and wellbeing.