Mental health has received a great deal of attention on university campuses in the last few years. Poor mental health is a problem that has been widely reported around the globe, primarily from the student’s perspective.
According to studies, a high proportion of students suffer from depressive symptoms. The UK’s All Party Parliamentary Group on Students, a forum for MPs to discuss issues affecting students in higher education, found that 33% of students experienced suicidal feelings in the previous academic year.
Mental health problems at university are a major problem. Not only do they affect how students study, but also whether or not they complete their degree. The symptoms of poor mental well-being can have a significant impact on the careers and lives of students.
The transition from high school life to university, deadlines for coursework and exams, and financial hardship are all challenges that most research has identified.
A variety of methods can help students.
Recent UK research has revealed that students at university have limited knowledge of mental health and are reluctant to seek help. Administrators have noticed the high rates of poor mental well-being and low mental health literacy among students.
Students and academics are increasingly concerned about mental health. Pexels
Different universities in the UK have adopted different approaches to raising awareness about mental disorders and addressing the stigma associated with poor health.
Posters, Websites, and Apps are all being used to encourage students to seek medical attention and visit Campus Wellbeing Clinics.
What about academics?
The poor mental state of academics is not given enough attention. It is alarming that research shows many academics are under stress and may be at risk for Burnout. Academics, like students, are not in good mental health.
A recent study revealed that 43% of academic staff displayed symptoms of at least mild mental disorders. Mental disorders are nearly twice as common in academic staff than in the general population. The main reason for the increase in mental disorders is due to increased academic workloads and pressure to publish and earn external revenue.
Poor mental health can have a significant impact on academics’ productivity, professionalism, and ability to teach and conduct research. It also affects the communication between staff and their relationships at work. Poor mental health affects not only the professional lives of academics but also their personal lives.
Silent stigma
The academic staff has fewer options than students for support. The majority of universities offer staff the opportunity to speak to an occupational health nurse or to contact an employee assistance program by phone. However, information on both services is limited and difficult to locate. Both options refer staff to services located outside of the university campus.
It is not surprising that only 6,7% of UK academic staff has ever disclosed a condition. There is a ” culture of silence” about mental health in university environments.
Academics are at a higher risk of mental illness than other professionals. Pexels
There is no doubt that more needs to be done in order to improve the mental health of academics. In order to tackle the factors that contribute to poor mental health, such as job security, workload, and pay, structural changes are required. These changes won’t be easy or happen quickly. In the current political environment and due to the high cost of education, governments feel pressured to provide students and parents with rubrics that demonstrate excellence.
Changes in attitudes
One possible strategy is to improve mental health literacy in academics, including symptom identification, self-care (such as physical activity) and where to get support. Academics, like students, need to be educated about mental health issues and encouraged to seek help.
A study revealed that academics with higher levels of well-being and less distress were those who met the guidelines of 150 minutes per week of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity.
To support behavior change, it is not enough to tell academics to be physically active. The university environment must also be changed.
It may be helpful to offer staff a variety of options for physical activity, such as social walking groups. These exercise facilities are free or heavily subsidized schemes that encourage cycling to work. Physical activity that connects people to mental health in a similar way to England Athletics’ (Mental Health Ambassador Program) may provide additional support. Increased physical activity would not only benefit academics, but Everyone on campus can benefit.
The future of universities is at risk if academics have poor mental health. If we don’t do anything to improve mental health among academics, we will continue losing them due to Burnout. This could result in a decline in standards of research and teaching at a time when the UK is most likely to need them.
