Addressing the Growing Need
University can be an exciting time, filled with opportunities for personal growth and lasting memories. However, for some students, it can also be an intimidating and highly stressful period, marked by demanding classes and social pressures.
Recently, there has been a rise in demand for counselling services on campuses. Various factors have contributed to this increase, as students face multiple pressures and turn to their universities for help. At the same time, these institutions struggle with squeezed budgets and rising expectations to support their students better.
In this blog, we will explore the pressures contributing to student mental health, strategies for supporting student well-being, addressing diverse student needs, and the benefits of institutions investing in student mental health.
Pressures Contributing to Student Mental Health
Students today are burdened by various challenges, including financial stress and the need to adjust to new environments. Rising tuition and living costs add to the economic strain.
In the UK, students are cutting costs due to rising living expenses. A National Union of Students survey found that 90% of university students believe increased living costs adversely affect their mental health.
Additionally, Australian education costs have seen their highest quarterly increase in five years and Irish university students require over €14,000 annually to support themselves during the academic year.
Supporting Student Wellbeing and Success
Given these challenges, student wellbeing has become more crucial than ever in higher education. SEAtS offer a solution that helps institutions keep students on track to graduate.
By monitoring attendance and engagement data, SEAtS provide key wellbeing indicators and triggers automatic alerts when students may be struggling. This proactive approach helps identify at-risk students, notify staff, and reduce dropouts, ultimately improving retention and graduation rates.
Academic Workload and Pressure
Academic workload, part-time jobs, and the fear of falling short of expectations increases stress levels, affecting both mental health and student performance.
Regular attendance monitoring helps identify absenteeism early, allowing for timely intervention and support. This enhances student retention, student wellbeing and academic performance.
Diverse Student Needs
Students from diverse backgrounds face unique challenges, such as cultural adjustments to integration issues for international students.
SEAtS’ widening participation tools provides institutions with actionable insights, they need to improve retention and attainment rates for at-risk students from underrepresented groups. These tools streamline follow-up processes, ensuring they are simple, repeatable, and equitable for staff and students.
How Institutions Can Help Students
Benefits of Investing in Student Mental Health
A positive mental state enables students to engage deeply with their studies, exhibit higher levels of creativity and concentration, and improve their academic results.
Investing in student mental health has long-term benefits that extend into the professional world, including higher productivity, creative problem-solving skills, and reduced absenteeism.
Conclusion
The impact of mental illness on students can be profound, often leading to significant academic struggles, lower grades, and higher dropout rates, all of which affect their long-term success and well-being. These challenges can also contribute to a cycle of stress and disengagement that further exacerbates academic and personal difficulties.
By implementing comprehensive support systems and proactive solutions like SEAtS, educational institutions can play a crucial role in improving student mental health and academic success, providing the necessary tools and interventions to break this cycle and foster a more supportive learning environment.
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