Mental Health: Are we doing enough?

The pressure of juggling commitments can cause students
to become isolated. Image: Shutterstock.

The stress of balancing study, work and family commitments combined with uncertainty about the future can take its toll. For some students, it can all become too much and the constant grind of everyday responsibilities can lead them down a dark and lonely path. University staff can also be members of the walking wounded due to increasing workloads and high stress environments. An inaugural conference at James Cook University will shine a light on mental health in higher education and bring together researchers, practitioners, educators and students to find ways forward.

Caring for the mental health of university students should start well before a student first steps onto campus or logs in online.

Dr Beryl Buckby, a clinical psychologist and lecturer in undergraduate and postgraduate psychology programs at James Cook University, says fostering relationships between high school students and universities can lead to healthier and happier experiences and greater productivity. She says it is particularly important to form these connections with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students before they launch into university degrees.

For the full story see
https://www.jcu.edu.au/brighter/articles/mental-health-are-we-doing-enough