The Importance of Mental Health Support and Skill Development on Campus

It goes without saying that college is a time of exciting personal growth, social exploration, and concentrated career preparation. Each student will have their own way of making the most of the unique opportunities presented during this dynamic phase of life. Frequently, students are attracted to the stability of the academic environment and have faith that attending college can help them establish similar levels of security after graduation.

Today’s students seek a future-proof education to help them confidently navigate the job marketplace. They are attending college not just for their own success but also for the success of their families. They expect to be given rigorous coursework and leadership opportunities to help them secure jobs to support themselves and their loved ones. The American College Health Association survey highlights the negative impact of mental health issues on students’ academic performance, emphasizing the need for comprehensive mental health support on campuses.

One of the ways colleges and universities can help students prepare for the workforce is by fostering skills like resilience and collaboration. The Manpower Group June 2021 survey on Talent Shortage revealed the demand for soft skills is more important than ever. By focusing on a few critical principles like leadership, and with the help of the right tools, universities can enhance student engagement and ensure their graduates’ lasting success. Additionally, the stigma around mental health issues is dropping, and more students who have accessed mental health treatment before college are now pursuing higher education.

Foster a Sense of Independence in College Students

Teaching students to be proactive and take responsibility for their education and career plans can equip them with the soft skills necessary to succeed professionally. The 2021 Princeton Review College Hopes & Worries survey revealed students’ growing desire to attend postsecondary institutions that will help them obtain a potentially more lucrative career. According to the report, 73% of respondents said having information about an institution’s career services would significantly contribute to their decision to apply to or choose the college. This shows a 7% increase in interest from 2020, indicating the growing importance of institutions offering students leadership content to prepare them for their future workplaces and aid them in reaching their job placement and salary goals. College students also face significant challenges related to mental health issues, which can impact their academic performance and overall well-being.

Introducing alternative credentials to the traditional postsecondary curriculum can serve as a way for universities to demonstrate the real-world usefulness of the education they provide their students. Colleges and universities can teach self-advocacy skills by offering training programs and courses focused on amplifying what the National Association of Colleges and Employers dubs measurable competencies for career readiness, including self-development, critical thinking, leadership, and professionalism. The increasing prevalence of mental health issues among college students has led to more efforts by colleges and universities to support students in distress through various programs and initiatives.

Students entering college today seek to identify and foster the life skills they need to balance their many responsibilities. Knowing they have access to coursework and teaching self-management can increase their trust in their chosen colleges and make them more likely to stay enrolled in and complete their academic programs.

Developing College Students’ Interpersonal Skills and Teamwork

Prioritizing soft skills like communication and teamwork can help close the gap between what employers seek in job applicants and what they are getting. Interpersonal skills transferable from academic and familial commitments to social and professional endeavors hold value, giving students a competitive edge in understanding and working with others.

Offering students additional opportunities to work collaboratively in college can help them develop and sustain future relationships that make problem-solving collaborative and effective. Various aspects of campus life, such as programs and initiatives to promote mental well-being and support social connections, play a crucial role in this development.

Postsecondary institutions can produce considerate and courageous students capable of appropriate self-expression by extending courses that help them learn to act according to their values and missions. Peer counseling is also essential in supporting students’ mental health and well-being, providing confidential one-on-one sessions to help manage anxiety, depression, and other campus-life issues.

Making Student Mental Health a Priority

The 2021 Beginning College Survey of Student Engagement (BCSSE) report revealed that 88% of students surveyed experienced an increase in mental exhaustion and an uptick in cases of depression due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The ongoing global health crisis has emphasized how important it is for colleges and universities to provide students with the tools necessary to cope with change and remain resilient.

Postsecondary institutions are responsible for supporting their students mentally just as much as academically. Various mental health services, including group therapy approaches, peer support groups, peer counseling services, one-on-one counseling sessions, and crisis support programs, are essential in helping students manage their mental health. Productivity and time management programs that teach healthy work habits designed to reduce stress and increase efficiency can have effects that last long after graduation. Colleges and universities have also taken measures to address students’ mental health challenges during the school year, ensuring continuous support throughout the academic year.

Introducing health and wellness concepts to students while they are enrolled in college can help them thrive both in the college environment and the working world beyond it. Not only can teaching students how to recharge increase their engagement during their academic careers, but making them aware of the importance of managing their well-being can prepare them to set healthy boundaries and pursue continuous self-improvement.

How Can LeaderU Help?

LeaderU is an interactive platform that empowers educational institutions to support college students in developing leadership, wellness, and career readiness skills to succeed now and in the future. The platform integrates with your LMS and gives students access to the same course content FranklinCovey uses to train leaders at organizations worldwide. Courses can be instructor-led, blended, or self-paced and are based on international bestselling books and hundreds of thousands of client engagements, including those in health sciences. LeaderU can be used in academic courses, extracurricular student programs, freshman seminars, etc. With LeaderU, students develop essential career skills and earn industry-recognized credentials from FranklinCovey to help them stand out in the job market. Click here to learn more.