One such approach in adventure therapy aims to support and strengthen the multi-dimensional aspects of self. In addition, workplace mental health promotional activities have targeted the administrators, e.g., guided “e-learning” for the managers that have shown to decrease the mental health problems of the employees (102). MH stigma, understanding MH and wellness, information about different mental disorders, experiences of mental illnesses, help seeking and garnering support, and importance of positive MH.
Access to the Counseling Service
These raised stakes underscore the pre-existing stresses and high competition inherent to academic culture25, resulting in intensely stressful conditions26. As their numbers increase, graduate students Research on mental health and social support face greater competition for a tightening pool of academic jobs, funding resources and mentorship16,23,24. Today, the pressure faced by university students at all levels may be greater than it has ever been in the past 25 years15. In this review paper, we discuss the complex issues facing academic trainees and use many abbreviations summarized inTable 1 (references1–14). The evidence for, and against, the common claim of increasing prevalence of mental health issues among students in recent years is discussed.
Need for Mental Health (MH) Prevention
Two studies conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic include the same scales 41,42 and reveal similar results for the general population in Germany, while in our later study from October to December 2021, the risk for anxiety and depression is slightly higher. The conducted survey investigates the mental health of Ph.D. students at a university in the southwest of Germany and gives insights into what causes stress and mental health disorders and where there is a need for further support services. The study’s results are in line with those of earlier investigations of mental health in academia, which likewise reveal significant levels of depression and anxiety among Ph.D. students. This is the first review of reviews to synthesise evidence on interventions to improve college and university students’ mental health and wellbeing. Farrer et al. systematically reviewed evidence on the effectiveness of technology-based interventions for mental health outcomes in tertiary students (rated as moderate methodological quality). Universal interventions are aimed at students without any pre-existing mental health problems whereas indicated interventions are aimed at students who meet criteria for mild to moderate levels of mental health problems or have acknowledged an existing mental health problem such as depression or anxiety.
Further research is also needed to appraise and review higher educational institutions’ mental health policies and procedures. Further, this review uncovered a dire need for further research that explores operational strategies capable of addressing the mental health predicament among graduate students through other innovative tools and methodologies. More studies are required in communication and collaboration amongst researchers in this field as evidenced by the bibliometrics analysis’ weak collaboration results. Therefore, the identified major themes in the clusters, the most frequented journals and critical terms, and the research gaps are vital for researchers in considering focus areas for graduate students’ mental health and well-being research.
This study aims to fill this gap by focusing on the issues outlined in the following research questions. This type of analysis clarifies the structure of specific fields or areas of knowledge. However, studies reveal that access to these services is often limited. In response to rising mental health concerns, many institutions have implemented various strategies aimed at promoting student well-being.
- Correlations between psychological scales, social media use, working memory, and PSQI components.
- The second biggest cluster (green) represents an intra-national research network that includes 10 researchers from eight different higher education institutions in the United States.
- Similarly, Kitzrow compiles evidence on the positive impact of counselling on both student mental health and academic performance32.
- Failure to acknowledge alternative non-Western approaches to mental health and mental illness has resulted in imbalances of knowledge exchange and the permeation of dominating Western narratives into LMICs (i.e., so-called medical imperialism) (Timimi, 2010; Summerfield, 2013).
- Feeling unable to take breaks and engage with other meaningful activities had the potential to lead to high levels of stress and burnout.
