University student mental health and wellbeing is a concern, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Loneliness and social isolation are drivers of student mental health problems, amenable to intervention. "Connecting People" was developed and piloted in health and social care services to support people to enhance their social connections.…

In response to urgent student mental health needs across Virginia's college campuses, the 2022 Virginia General Assembly appropriated funds to support a two-year mental health workforce pilot program at public institutions of higher education. The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV), in consultation with the Virginia Health Care…

Objective: The current study examines the relationships between change in depressive symptoms and locus of control orientations among college students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants: A sample of 341 undergraduate students were recruited from a large Midwestern United States university. Methods: Participants completed an online…

This exploratory study aimed to understand the experience of mothers in higher education both during the COVID-19 pandemic and toward the end of restrictions. The population included academic mothers with children at home during the pandemic. Data was analyzed thematically by a team of researchers. The results generated six themes: (a) life…

In this article, authors outline the prevalence of mental health disorders among students during the pandemic, highlight common strategies embedded in campuses' responses, and provide recommendations for campuses to support students' mental health.

The COVID-19 pandemic and efforts to manage it have affected mental health around the world. Although early research on the COVID-19 pandemic showed a general decline in mental health after the pandemic began, mental health in later stages of the pandemic might be improving alongside other changes (e.g., availability of vaccines, return to…

Objective: This study aimed to better understand the mental health experiences of students as they prepared to transition out of university. Participants: Participants included 18 recently graduated students from a Canadian university. Methods: Virtual one-on-one semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted and analyzed following the…

Objective: To compare rates of anxiety and depression among LGBTQ college students before and during the COVID-19 pandemic and examine pandemic-related stressors and protective factors. Participants: Two cohorts of LGBTQ college students, aged 18-25, sampled before (N = 3,484) and during (N = 1,647) the pandemic. Methods: The Healthy Minds Study…

Objective: Researchers collaborated with undergraduate minority students to quantitatively and qualitatively investigate college students' mental health during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants: Participants were two convenience samples of diverse college students surveyed in June (n = 128; M age = 21.7, SD = 1.7) and December…

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically altered the way of life in the United States, which may be linked to self-injurious behaviors. Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of data from the Fall 2020 Cohort of the Healthy Minds Survey, a non-probability sample of students enrolled at one of 28 universities across the United States.…

Introduction: Theoretical approaches suggest that adaptability and well-being could serve as protective factors in influencing mental health. However, it remains empirically unclear how students' prior adaptability and well-being predict depression (and vice versa) in the long term. Hence, using a longitudinal design, the present study explores…

Often, experiences of trauma challenge a person's ability to cope. Although many students on college campuses carry around trauma, the COVID-19 pandemic placed a magnifying glass on student mental health that made it clear universities cannot be passive when it comes to supporting students through their trauma. In this article, the authors argue…

Higher degree research candidates experience higher rates of anxiety and depression than the general population. This study explored the wellbeing and experiences of two independent groups of HDR candidates. One participating prior to the pandemic, and the second group during the COVID-19 pandemic. A mixed methods study comprising of a survey and…

During the COVID-19 pandemic, higher education workloads exploded, putting those employed in postsecondary institutions under significant mental, emotional, physical, and, at times, financial uncertainty. This strain has had clear consequences for the long-term well-being, productivity, and retention of employees in higher education, including in…

Online learning self-efficacy is associated with significant psychological outcomes among college students. Nevertheless, research investigating self-efficacy among college students during COVID-16 pandemic is limited. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of self-efficacy beliefs regarding online learning in predicting…