Richmond Panford’s Post

Exciting December - S’Monday News! 🤩 ---- My article, “Overcoming mental health challenges in higher education: a narrative review” has been accepted for publication in Frontiers in Psychology! This comprehensive review synthesizes findings from over 50 studies, addressing critical mental health challenges in higher education. It explores the unique struggles faced by vulnerable student groups, barriers to accessing psychological support, and the compounded effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The article also provides evidence-informed recommendations to enhance mental health policies and services across diverse contexts. I am thrilled to have led this effort, bringing forward a review that includes underrepresented regions in such discussions 😊 and using these findings to advocate more strongly for improving student mental health worldwide, including in Kosovë and the Balkan region. A heartfelt thank you to my co-authors Holly Davis, Ph.D., Aliriza Arënliu, Fitim Uka, and Vigan Behluli, and to the University of Prishtina for supporting the project, “Advancement and Measurement of the Effectiveness of Psychological and Academic Support Services for Students” from which this study has been published. 🖇️ Full text available at: https://lnkd.in/dUXy-tKg #MentalHealth #HigherEducation #StudentWellbeing #EvidenceBasedPolicy

  Calling all Lambton College International Students (Sarnia - Main Campus)! You’re invited to share your feedback about accessing mental health supports by completing this anonymous online survey.     This survey should only take 3-5 minutes of your time. By completing the survey, you can help Lambton College understand what unique barriers International Students might face when trying to access mental health supports within our community.      This survey is completely anonymous and confidential. We hope that providing students with an anonymous and confidential way to provide feedback will help us and other post-secondary educational institutions improve access to supports for International Students.  You can scan the QR code to access the survey. #ResearchInnovation #LambtonCollege #LCPride #MentalHealth

Our latest blog post — written by Taylor Solomon — explores how increasing selectivity in universities exacerbates mental health issues among students, highlighting the pressures and anxieties caused by competitive admissions processes. Read more 📚: https://lnkd.in/e2YeCvRC .

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐞? 🧐 New research from the American Council on Education light on the challenges students face. The study dives into the factors that lead to student departure, from academic pressures to mental health concerns. #HigherEducation #StudentSuccess #MentalHealth ✍️Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/e_Raf7PQ

May is #MentalHealthAwareness month and this week we're spotlighting J. Pace Browne, MVA class of '21, for his work in this field. Here's what Pace has to say in regards to mental well-being: "This time of the year, for many students, academic hurdles can bring about severe anxiety. These demanding circumstances can be stressful at times, and it’s okay to acknowledge that. Times like these necessitate prosperous mental health, and at Florida State University, I’ve been lucky enough to be part of an organization that helps students achieve exactly that. Active Minds is an organization led by students dedicated to spreading awareness and ending the stigma around mental health. There are more than 600 chapters of Active Minds on college campuses across the U.S. focused on impacting students each year through awareness campaigns, events, and outreach. My involvement with the organization has enriched my understanding of what mental health really is while providing me with invaluable opportunities to promote well-being and understanding within my community. The contributions of this organization to national mental health have demonstrated to me the importance of supporting those around you, because you never know what challenges someone may be facing. Because academics are a primary focus for many young adults during this month, it is essential to ensure that equally as much time is being put towards personal well-being. Throughout the rest of May, I encourage you to continue to strive for academic success, but to also remember the importance of maintaining your mental well-being, as well as those around you.” Thank you, Pace, for your insightful words and for advocating for #MentalHealth. #mentalwellbeing #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth #AlumniPerspective

What do you think are the top factors influencing student mental health? Yale University research shows 45% of Chinese international students there have depression, 13% above average. Some experts call this surge "the silent pandemic." How should schools, educators, and stakeholders respond to this "silent pandemic"? Venture has an upcoming analysis of the landscape and suggestions for intervention. Become a subscriber to receive our latest topical updates on news on Chinese and international education. #studentwellbeing #educationinchina

When it comes to mental health services, we know country regions are significantly under resourced. We know we need more. Wouldn't it be awesome if mental health-related university courses were more accessible to people living and working in the country? And yet, a relatively small proportion of Australian #universities offer flexible, affordable post-graduate psychology options to enable students who live in the country to stay, study, and work in their communities. Shout out to CQUniversity for being one of those who do. And, to Uni Hub Spencer Gulf and other regional university study hubs for supporting and empowering country-based university students. I get it's a complex issue, and governments need to step up too. But...solutions are possible if we (collective 'we') want it enough to do the work to make it happen. #regionaluniversities #unihub #country #mentalhealth #counselling #psychology #regionsmatter #regional #health #spencergulf #localhealth

The 2024 Survey of College and University Presidents by Inside Higher Ed found that nearly half (43%) of college presidents feel their institutions do not have sufficient mental health resources. There is a notable disparity between public and private institutions, with 53% of public institution presidents feeling insufficient compared to 31% of private nonprofit presidents. This discrepancy highlights the need for increased support at public colleges and universities, and the overall statistic underscores the importance of prioritizing mental health resources at all institutions. By investing in mental health services, we can create a more inclusive and supportive environment for students, promoting academic success and overall well-being. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/duJwYmem — Empathetic leaders choose Counslr to empower their people and make it simple for them to prioritize their mental health. Join the growing movement of revolutionizing mental health support and visit www.counslr.com to learn more. #counslr #mentalhealth 

Allowing students to rest when exhausted is not a sign of weakness, but rather an act of grace. Respect, irrespective of merit, reflects true wisdom. Taking time to listen to our youth is an investment in their future, not a depletion of our own time. Building strong relationships is fundamental to academic advancement. The lack of these things is a daily reminder of the flaws in our system. Educators holding on to outdated beliefs must recognize that mental health and relationships are the conduits through which we impart knowledge. #Education #StudentWellness #RelationshipBuilding #AcademicGrowth

Fascinating conversations are a hallmark of the ASU+GSV Summit experience, and this year was no different. After running into DMC from Run-DMC and spitting a few bars of eloquence (that's an upcoming Linkedin post 😀), I had the pleasure of meeting a couple of gentlemen from Norway, Eirik Wahlstrøm and Mathieu Skulason. We delved into a discussion about the challenges facing young people today, and they highly recommended a book called The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. Intrigued, I dove into the book and found it to be a compelling exploration of the rise in mental health issues among adolescents. Haidt, a social psychologist, delves into the data surrounding the sharp increase in rates of depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicide. He goes beyond just reporting the statistics and digs into the potential causes. The book explores two key factors: The rise of social media: Haidt examines the impact of constant comparison and the curated online world on young minds. The decline of free play: He argues that the shift towards structured activities and screen time has robbed children of opportunities to develop resilience and social skills through unstructured play. The Anxious Generation doesn't just diagnose the problem; it offers solutions. Haidt proposes ways to create a healthier childhood environment, fostering emotional well-being and resilience in the next generation. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the challenges facing young people today, from parents and educators to policymakers and anyone who works with youth. #mentalhealth #anxiety #parenting #education #asugsv #TheAnxiousGeneration Has anyone else read this book? What are your thoughts?