Improving university students’ mental health literacy using experiential learning opportunities

Abstract

Objectives: University students represent a vulnerable population to mental health and wellbeing issues. However, young people are likely to delay or fail to engage in help-seeking behaviours. Embedding mental health learning opportunities in curriculum design may improve the mental health and wellbeing of students, but there are challenges to embedding this material in non-health disciplines where students’ intrinsic interests may not align with mental health–themed coursework. To explore this challenge, the present study involved embedding mental health literacy learning into an Event Management course through an experiential learning opportunity. Design: A quasi-experimental design involving university students divided into intervention groups ( n = 40) and control groups ( n = 83). Setting: Students in the intervention groups managed events across campuses of a major Australian university in support of a University Mental Health and Wellbeing Day. Students in the control groups managed non-mental health events. Method: Pre- and post-event surveys compared students’ perceptions of experiential learning, of the effectiveness of student-led events in promoting mental health literacy and help-seeking behaviours in themselves and peers, and of embedding mental health learning into an experiential learning framework. Results: Results suggest that experiential learning opportunities that contain mental health literacy content in addition to course content can be valuable without interruption to core learning aims. Conclusion: This study is one of the first to evaluate the impact of innovative curriculum designs that embed mental health literacy in non-health disciplines, highlighting the opportunities for creative approaches to improving mental health education in universities.

Mental Health Literacy among Students of Gujranwala Division of Punjab

“…Some considered psychiatrists but majority selected more than one options. Similar results were shown by other study that reported that seeking medical aid regarding mental health is totally fine and acceptable 14,15 . In present study, majority agreed with idea to seek help rather than fighting alone against mental illness as it worsens it.…”

Effects of Experiential Learning Program of Community Health Workers on Health Literacy and Preventive Behaviors of Emerging Infectious Diseases and Re-Emerging Infectious Diseases of Respiratory System

“…15 It is believed that learning through the learner’s experience together with participatory learning and familiarity with health services and systems will result in higher health literacy. 16 - 18…”

An exploratory cross-sectional study on Mental health literacy of Spanish adolescents

“…For adolescents, studies on MHL are smaller compared to the adult population [10,14], and among the different studies in the last decade, most were conducted with older adolescents [15]. Thus, Radez et al [16] found that socioeconomic disadvantage and low levels of educational attainment were not associated with MHL, and women and people with MHPs were more likely to seek help from different sources [9].…”