New NESET report examines the mental well-being of students and staff in European higher education institutions

NESET’s latest report reviews the international literature exploring mental health and well-being issues for staff and students in higher education. Titled “Student and staff mental wellbeing in European Higher Education Institutions” and crafted by experts Elena Riva, Kate Lister, Wiki Jeglinska, the report looks at approaches at institutional and national level that can support the mental health and well-being of university communities across Higher Education institutions in Europe.

In view of the relevance of this topic, the analytical report provides an overview of the main barriers and issues affecting the declining mental health and well-being of higher education students and staff across the European Union. Moreover, in order to advance the search for solutions that could sustain the mental health and well-being of higher education communities, the report examines examples of holistic, integrated ‘whole institution’ approaches that promote the wellbeing of staff and students, ensuring that mental wellbeing is mainstreamed into higher education cultures, systems and practices.  It also identifies relevant, successful actions and programmes developed in partnership with staff and student stakeholders and implemented in European and international institutions. 

Finally, the report provides a set of key policy recommendations for improving the wellbeing of higher education students and staff across the European Union, which can facilitate the successful implementation of holistic, ‘whole institution’ approaches.