Staff experiences of providing support to students who are managing mental health challenges: A qualitative study from two australian universities

Margaret McAllister; D Wynaden; B Happell; Trudi Flynn; V Walters; R Duggan; L Byrne; L Heslop; C Gaskin

doi:10.1080/18374905.2014.11081897

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Staff experiences of providing support to students who are managing mental health challenges: A qualitative study from two australian universities

Journal article

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Staff experiences of providing support to students who are managing mental health challenges: A qualitative study from two australian universities

Margaret McAllister, D Wynaden, B Happell, Trudi Flynn, V Walters, R Duggan, L Byrne, L Heslop and C Gaskin

Advances in Mental Health, Vol.12(3), pp.192-201

2015

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/18374905.2014.11081897

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Abstract

mental health challenge

university

pastoral care

education and training

The prevalence and consequences of mental health challenges amongst university students is now widely acknowledged and university staff provide an important but often hidden service to these students. While completing a university degree is important to the student's long-term outcomes there remains a paucity of literature on the support role provided to these students by staff. To contribute to knowledge in this area, a qualitative exploratory study was completed with academic and professional staff at two Australian universities in 2013. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews with 26 participants to document their experiences and to identify the barriers and enablers to their support role to students. Data were analysed using thematic analysis and four themes emerged: (1) Factors that facilitate initiation of staff support; (2) barriers to providing support; (3) challenges facing staff; and (4) how universities support students with mental health challenges. Staff acknowledged the personal and organisational challenges they experienced but also highlighted the rewards they received associated with the role. The provision of training and the acknowledgement of the hidden role and workload by universities were important to ensuring positive outcomes for this group of students. Copyright © eContent Management Pty Ltd

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Title: Staff experiences of providing support to students who are managing mental health challenges: A qualitative study from two australian universities
Authors: Margaret McAllister (Author) - Central Queensland University
D Wynaden (Author) - Curtin University
B Happell (Author) - University of Canberra
Trudi Flynn (Author) - Central Queensland University
V Walters (Author) - Central Queensland University
R Duggan (Author) - Curtin University
L Byrne (Author) - Central Queensland University
L Heslop (Author) - Curtin University
C Gaskin (Author) - Gaskin Research
Publication details: Advances in Mental Health, Vol.12(3), pp.192-201
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Australasia
Date published: 2015
DOI: 10.1080/18374905.2014.11081897
ISSN: 1838-7357
Organisation Unit: School of Social Sciences - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Law and Society
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99451011202621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Psychiatry

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