Mental health and well-being

Advice on effective mental health support for students and staff to create a happier, healthier campus. Find out how universities and academics can promote well-being, protect their campus community from spiralling stress, minimise the risk of burnout and build resilience - from institutional practices that create a culture of care to personal self-care tips and healthy habits for overworked academics and students.

Depressed young black man on a park bench

Why students and faculty alike need mental health first-aid training

Basic knowledge and skills could empower university communities to promote and destigmatise mental health issues and empower individuals to recognise risks and seek assistance, writes Noam Schimmel

Noam Schimmel

University of California, Berkeley

Asian male student happy with hands raised

Preparing students to succeed in a volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous world

University campuses can act as an incubator, giving students a secure environment where they feel nurtured and cared for and where they can come to terms with who they are, writes Cheong Fan

Cheong Fan

Macau University of Science and Technology

From cohort to community: how to support student-led initiatives

Building a strong cohort starts with supporting students directly. Here, we, as student and staff co-authors in the humanities, share insights on how to encourage solutions designed for students by students

Ranita Thompson, Joanne Walmsley, Ben Graham

The University of Queensland

Written feedback for students – keep it clear, constructive and to the point

James Derounian offers tips for giving compassionate feedback that will enable students to understand where their work went right and wrong

James Derounian

De Montfort University

Female Asian students studying for an exam

Exam skills instruction: fostering a sense of self-efficacy

Practice, regular feedback and opportunities to experience mastery can help students develop sound exam technique and improve their performance, writes Cheong Fan

Cheong Fan

Macau University of Science and Technology

Apply the social model of disability to HE: viewing inclusion as a social good

William E. Donald and Marius Frank present 10 benefits to applying a disability framework that empowers individuals to create a more inclusive society

William E. Donald, Marius Frank

University of Southampton, Ronin Institute, Microlink

How to enhance recruitment and retention at your university

Gareth Morris and Junhua Mo outline ways to address the twin critical factors of motivation for new employment and boosting job satisfaction

Gareth Morris, Junhua Mo

The University of Nottingham Ningbo China, Soochow University

Struggle, strength and growth: preparing students for the changing future

Struggle, strength and growth: preparing students for the changing future

How to emotionally prepare students for uncertainty and complexity in their future lives by helping them recognise their strengths and embrace change

Kathleen Chim, Lai Tsz Chui, Benjamin Tak Yuen Chan

Hong Kong Metropolitan University

Pride in HE: how to create an inclusive community online

With more university education now being delivered digitally, Richard Senese offers advice on how leaders can make sure they are building an LGBTQ+ inclusive community online

Richard Senese

Capella University

A young woman expressing disappointment over her work

Six steps to overcoming setbacks and rejection

Rejection is an inevitable part of being an academic, so it is vital to develop strategies to cope with and learn from setbacks in order to succeed in the longer term. Paul A. Walcott shares six such strategies

Paul A. Walcott

The University of the West Indies

Key knowledge to be a good manager in higher education

Academics are the most important asset for any university, though they are often the most neglected, making it even more vital to be a good manager, says Şerife Eyüpoğlu

Şerife Eyüpoğlu

Near East University

University students belonging, on a city walk

Build community into the curriculum to improve in-person attendance

If the lecture theatre is empty, it’s time to get more innovative in our delivery, says Gemma Ahearne. Here, she offers approaches that show students the value of attending

Gemma Ahearne

University of Liverpool

A diverse team of colleagues in an online meeting

Prioritising equity in higher education: the impact of individual identities

Recommendations for improving equity in higher education, informed by research into the impact of individual identities upon staff experiences of the pandemic

Sam Illingworth, Jamie Zike

Edinburgh Napier University

Decolonisation to Indigenisation: how can institutions centre Indigenous knowledge?

Beyond the concept of decolonisation is the process of Indigenisation. Here, Raelee Lancaster provides four reflective questions that institutions can ask themselves when considering how to respect and elevate Indigenous knowledge

Raelee Lancaster

The University of Queensland

A team of colleagues celebrating a work success

How to find passion in your work – and sustain it

A simple strategy to sustain passion and enthusiasm for your work by keeping big dreams in view while celebrating each small step

Eleanor Cook

The University of Exeter

Ease students’ climate anxiety by encouraging climate action

Climate anxiety is a mental health issue and universities can help students overcome it through climate action, multiplying their own impact along the way, writes Cecil Scheib

Cecil Scheib

New York University

Spinning the multiple plates of being an academic

How to spin the plates of academic visibility, engagement and pleasing yourself

Think like a journalist. Think like a content creator. Think like a musician. Jonathan Wilson gives tips on getting ahead in your career without sacrificing personal satisfaction

Jonathan Wilson

Regent’s University London

Illustration of young woman with tangled arrows representing decisions above her head

One thing at a time: tips for making decisions

Academic life is rife with everyday choices that can sap your bandwidth. Here’s why this is exhausting and how to ease the load

Yaniv Hanoch

University of Southampton

Three diverse students talking on a university campus

Steps to promote LGBTQ+ students’ well-being on campus

What can universities do to promote greater LGBTQ+ student well-being and positive academic outcomes? Kristen A. Renn provides some answers

Kristen A. Renn

Michigan State University

HE has its head in the sand on long Covid, and it could prove costly

Long Covid is far more common than most people let on, so institutions must be ready to support its students, staff and faculty – here’s how

Mays Imad , Skylar Magee , John Nugent

Connecticut College

Breaking the homonegative life cycle for lesbian, gay and bisexual students in Jamaica

Lesbian, gay and bisexual students in Jamaica experience education punctuated by discriminatory treatment. Craig McNally looks at what university leaders must do to break this homonegative cycle and create inclusive campuses

Craig McNally

University of Technology, Jamaica, The University of the West Indies

American football team starting a new play

Making male athletes key players in preventing sexual assault on campus

Young sportsmen have the influence to shift campus attitudes away from rape culture and misinformation towards accountability and support for survivors. A US-wide programme aims to empower them to do so

Tracey Vitchers

It’s On Us

Group activities can help HDR student belonging

We must help HDR students experience a sense of community and belonging

A University of Adelaide team on what can be done to enhance community for higher degree by research students and how to ensure they see this culture from the outside

Multiple authors

Adelaide University

Five simple ways to make your classroom more LGBTIQ+ friendly

From encouraging the use of pronouns for all to utilising the power of narrative, Lucas Lixinski marks IDAHOBIT day by offering tips on LGBTIQ+ inclusion

Lucas Lixinski

UNSW Sydney

Illustration of young people in different coloured tops illustrating pronoun use

Creating an environment where staff and students feel comfortable sharing their pronouns

Using the correct pronouns is a key part of respectful communication – so where do we begin with creating a university environment where sharing pronouns becomes a natural part of our workplace culture?

Kat Smith

University of the Arts London

A ‘grocery store’ model can help your campus food bank reduce waste

A move from pre-packed hampers can make university food banks more efficient and the space more welcoming – and build a stronger community. Erin O’Neil offers tips for switching to a grocery-store model

Erin O’Neil

University of Alberta

Normalised failure depicted in a baby bird learning to fly

Lead by example and share your failures

Rejection is part of academic life. Leaders should share their own stories of failure to help others through theirs, says Tracy Nevatte

Tracy Nevatte

Keele University

Young woman sitting under grey sky with head in hands

What happens when we can’t help a student when they need us most?

The job of university personal tutor is not nine-to-five, and academics in support roles are fallible and don’t always get it right. Catherine Lee shares advice for those times from personal experience

Catherine Lee

Anglia Ruskin University

Careers services must prepare students for workplace abuse

Careers services: how to prepare graduates for workplace abuse

University career services must do a better job of helping students identify and manage psychological abuse following entry into the labour market

William E. Donald, Sucheta Das

Ronin Institute, University of Southampton

A tired looking man at his laptop rubbing his eyes

Understanding compassion fatigue and how to prevent it

Tips and strategies for reducing compassion fatigue among university faculty and staff

Catherine Wehlburg

Athens State University

Illustration of hands raised with hearts in the palms

Look after the intangibles and the metrics will look after themselves

Unmeasurable elements such as enthusiasm, belonging and motivation are valuable parts of the university experience. Sue Lee looks at ways to embrace these intangible assets

Sue Lee

University of Staffordshire

I’m finally ready to admit that I’m an academic who suffers from depression

I’m opening up because those of us hounded by mental health issues should not have to add fear of job loss and stigmatisation to our list of concerns, says James Derounian

James Derounian

University of Bolton

Depressed student hiding face on arms in front of laptop

Generation Z presents new challenges for medical education

Digitally savvy and adapted to rapid change, this cohort of future doctors needs emotional support and help managing expectations and setbacks

György Purebl

Semmelweis University

The four-day week in higher education: can we make it work?

With a culture of overwork eroding well-being among UK university staff, could a four-day working week be part of the solution? Rushana Khusainova looks at whether this mode of working is feasible in higher education

Rushana Khusainova

The University of Bristol

Middle-aged woman with laptop looking out office window

You’re not alone: tips to help academics avoid social isolation

Connections with colleagues matter – without them, support during periods of reappointment, promotion or tenure can feel tenuous. And those unwritten expectations of collegiality become opaque, explains Karen Z. Sproles

Karyn Z. Sproles

United States Naval Academy

Five steps for creating the ideal home office

With more and more academics and staff working from home, Pablo A. Torres outlines some of the areas to consider to make it a comfortable, productive experience

Pablo A. Torres

Tecnológico de Monterrey

Allyship for LGBTQ+ in academia and universities

What LGBTQ+ allyship means in academia

Being a queer person who very much appreciates allyship and who tries to be a good ally to others has taught me a few things, says Lucas Lixinski

Lucas Lixinski

UNSW Sydney

Students learn better on caring campuses – here’s how to create one

Teaching the whole student and promoting authenticity will instil belonging on your campus and combat the social isolation that so many students face, says Kim Samuel

Kim Samuel

University of Oxford

Young Asian man jumping through circular obstacles

Building resilience in students: give them roots and wings

Teachers can act as their students’ strongest supporters and life coaches, assisting them in acquiring the knowledge, abilities and resilience they need to face life’s challenges

Cheong Fan

Macau University of Science and Technology

professional woman in office with laptop with head in hands

How to use failure to build an academic career

Failure can be a stepping stone on the way to professional success. Here, Beiting He offers tips for finding support through setbacks and cultivating a resilience mindset

Beiting He

Macau University of Science and Technology

Back view of students walking in autumnal park

Student support takes a village – but you need to create one first

To support students from diverse backgrounds, universities should actively foster supportive communities. For one institution, this meant creating a ‘village’ on campus, as Melissa Leaupepe explains

Melissa Leaupepe

The University of Auckland

Those of us with dyspraxia are frequently affected by academic ableism

The actions, inertia and discretion of individual academics can be a key driver of ableism – here’s what you and your institution can do to help, says John Macklin

John Macklin

University of East London

How to make working from home work as an academic

Is working from home going to solve your work-life balance problems?

Commitment and good implementation are required from both institutions and individuals to make working from home a success, writes Brenda Lautsch

Brenda Lautsch

Simon Fraser University

10 ways your university can reject ableism

10 ways universities can reject ableism

William E. Donald and Larisa Yarovaya outline 10 clear ways universities can tackle ableism to create a sense of belonging for disabled students and staff

William E. Donald, Larisa Yarovaya

Ronin Institute, University of Southampton

Welcome sign for belonging at university

How to advance equitable learning in your classes

We must extend belonging to help students feel they’re cut out for college, lower barriers such as impostor syndrome and ultimately support learning, says Flower Darby

Flower Darby

University of Missouri

Black bereavement leave in higher education

Where’s our Black bereavement leave?

Higher education routinely ignores the emotional needs of Black faculty and staff, particularly after traumatic events, and it’s time for that to change, says Angel Jones

Angel Jones

Southern Illinois University

Outreach campaigns can help signpost students to university wellbeing services

How to run an effective student well-being campaign

From reaching out to the local community to making it interactive, Christina Chant offers seven tips for effectively promoting your university’s well-being services

Christina Chant

Edinburgh Napier University

A robust complaints process for students working in NHS placements

Students training as health and social care workers must be supported to speak up about complaints or concerns from practice settings. Helen Carr outlines a clear process

Helen Carr

Canterbury Christ Church University

The National Student Survey changes could harm higher education

The changes to the National Student Survey could prove disastrous

The removal of well-being-centric questions and the ability to compare with previous years will impede universities’ ability to offer adequate support

Harriet Dunbar-Morris

The University of Portsmouth

Dos and do-overs: reflections on life as an early career researcher

Reflecting on her time as an early career researcher, Edzia Carvalho looks back at the things she did successfully – her dos – and the things she wishes she had done from the start – her do-overs – to help others embarking on the same journey

Edzia Carvalho

University of Dundee

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