Setting-based interventions to promote mental health at the university: a systematic review

A Fernandez¹, E Howse², M Rubio-Valera^{3

4

5}, K Thorncraft⁶, J Noone⁷, X Luu^{8

9

10}, B Veness¹¹, M Leech^{2

12}, G Llewellyn^{2

13}, L Salvador-Carulla^{14

13}

Affiliations

¹ Mental Health Policy Unit-Brain and Mind Centre University of Sydney, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia. ana.fernandez@sydney.edu.au.
² Healthy Sydney University, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
³ Department of Research and Teaching, Sant Joan de Deu Foundation, Barcelona, Spain.
⁴ Spanish Network for Preventive Activities and Health Promotion in Primary Care (redIAPP), Barcelona, Spain.
⁵ School of Pharmacy, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
⁶ University Library, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
⁷ Ageing, Work and Health Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
⁸ Student Support Services, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
⁹ Discipline of Behavioural and Social Sciences in Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
¹⁰ St Andrew's College, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
¹¹ Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia.
¹² Sancta Sophia College, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
¹³ Centre for Disability Research and Policy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
¹⁴ Mental Health Policy Unit-Brain and Mind Centre University of Sydney, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.

PMID: 27364779
DOI: 10.1007/s00038-016-0846-4

Setting-based interventions to promote mental health at the university: a systematic review

A Fernandez et al. Int J Public Health. 2016 Sep.

. 2016 Sep;61(7):797-807.

doi: 10.1007/s00038-016-0846-4. Epub 2016 Jun 30.

Authors

A Fernandez¹, E Howse², M Rubio-Valera^{3

4

5}, K Thorncraft⁶, J Noone⁷, X Luu^{8

9

10}, B Veness¹¹, M Leech^{2

12}, G Llewellyn^{2

13}, L Salvador-Carulla^{14

13}

Affiliations

¹ Mental Health Policy Unit-Brain and Mind Centre University of Sydney, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia. ana.fernandez@sydney.edu.au.
² Healthy Sydney University, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
³ Department of Research and Teaching, Sant Joan de Deu Foundation, Barcelona, Spain.
⁴ Spanish Network for Preventive Activities and Health Promotion in Primary Care (redIAPP), Barcelona, Spain.
⁵ School of Pharmacy, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
⁶ University Library, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
⁷ Ageing, Work and Health Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
⁸ Student Support Services, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
⁹ Discipline of Behavioural and Social Sciences in Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
¹⁰ St Andrew's College, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
¹¹ Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia.
¹² Sancta Sophia College, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
¹³ Centre for Disability Research and Policy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
¹⁴ Mental Health Policy Unit-Brain and Mind Centre University of Sydney, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.

PMID: 27364779
DOI: 10.1007/s00038-016-0846-4

Abstract

Objectives: Universities are dynamic environments. But university life presents challenges that may affect the mental health of its community. Higher education institutions provide opportunities to promote public health. Our objective is to summarise the current evidence on strategies to promote mental health at the university, following a setting-based model.

Methods: We conducted a systematic literature review following standard methods. Published literature that evaluated structural and organizations strategies to promote mental health at the university was selected.

Results: 19 papers were included. The majority of the studies were targeting the students, with only four aiming to promote employees' mental health. The most promising strategies to promote mental wellbeing included changes in the way students are taught and assessed. On the other hand, social marketing strategies had not impact on mental health. There is inconclusive evidence related to the effectiveness of policies to promote mental health.

Conclusions: Universities should invest in creating supportive physical, social and academic environments that promote student and staff mental wellbeing. However, the current body of evidence is scarce and more research is needed to recommend what are the best strategies.

Keywords: Mental health promotion; Setting-based approach; University.

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References

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1. J Am Coll Health. 2013;61(5):286-301 - PubMed
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Setting-based interventions to promote mental health at the university: a systematic review

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Setting-based interventions to promote mental health at the university: a systematic review

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Full Text Sources

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