Key Questions: Research Priorities for Student Mental Health

Sampson, Katie, Priestley, Michael, Dodd, Alyson, Broglia, Emma, Wykes, Til, Robotham, Dan, Tyrrell, Katie, Ortega Vega, Marta and Byrom, Nicola C. (2022) Key Questions: Research Priorities for Student Mental Health. BJPsych Open, 8 (3). e90. ISSN 2056-4724

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1192/bjo.2022.61

Abstract

Background
The high prevalence of mental distress among university students is gaining academic, policy and public attention. As the volume of research into student mental health increases, it is important to involve students to ensure that the evidence produced can translate into meaningful improvements.

Aims
For the first time, we consult UK students about their research priorities on student mental health.

Method
This priority setting exercise involved current UK university students who were asked to submit three research questions relating to student mental health. Responses were aggregated into themes through content analysis and considered in the context of existing research. Students were involved throughout the project, including inception, design, recruitment, analysis and dissemination.

Results
UK university students (N = 385) submitted 991 questions, categorised into seven themes: epidemiology, causes and risk factors, academic factors and work–life balance, sense of belonging, intervention and services, mental health literacy and consequences. Across themes, respondents highlighted the importance of understanding the experience of minority groups.

Conclusions
Students are interested in understanding the causes and consequences of poor mental health at university, across academic and social domains. They would like to improve staff and students’ knowledge about mental health, and have access to evidence-based support. Future research should take a broad lens to evaluate interventions; considering how services are designed and delivered, and investigating institutional and behavioural barriers to accessibility, including how this varies across different groups within the student population.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: Funding information: This project was funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (grant number ES/S00324X/1) awarded to N.C.B., A.L.D., E.B., T.W. and D.R. The funder had no involvement in the design, implementation or dissemination of this study.
Uncontrolled Keywords: Student mental health, priority setting, qualitative research, prevention
Subjects: C800 Psychology
Department: Faculties > Health and Life Sciences > Psychology
Depositing User: Elena Carlaw
Date Deposited: 13 Apr 2022 13:15
Last Modified: 10 May 2022 14:15
URI: http://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/48888

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