RIZAL TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY

Boni and Pasig Campuses

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, AND ACCOUNTANCY

HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Mind Matters: Fostering Mental Health Consciousness on College Campus

A Literature Outline

Charito, Mark Emmanuel A.

Ben, Ellizze Anne D.
Rillon, John Reid S.
Serdaña, Mark Christian

Introduction

College students often struggle with mental health issues, but it's concerning that many fail to
recognize that they're facing such problems. Mental health is essential for overall well-being, as it
enables individuals to manage life's challenges, learn and work efficiently, reach their full potential, and
make positive contributions to their community, as per the World Health Organization (WHO).
Regrettably, the number of college students struggling with mental health problems has been on the
rise over the years, and this trend doesn't seem to be slowing down.

There are various factors contributing to this rise, including academic pressure, financial
constraints, social isolation, psychological factors, and lifestyle-related triggers. Students need to be
aware of these situations and understand how their lifestyle can impact their mental health. By doing
so, they can develop self-advocacy skills and learn methods to overcome these challenges. The
research by Newport Institute Staff (2023, October 23), Alu (2022, September 15), and Mofatteh, M.
(2020, December 25) have all contributed to understanding this topic.

A study conducted by Singh, A. (January 6, 2023) confirms the importance of maintaining good
mental health for college students. The research indicates that over 75% of mental health conditions
begin before the age of 24, which is often during college. Therefore, identifying the most common
mental health issues faced by students is crucial to ensure that educational institutions and
communities can provide appropriate support and assistance.

The demand for mental health services among college students has been steadily increasing in
recent years, highlighting the need for universities to provide comprehensive support programs. These
programs are essential for improving the overall well-being of students, fostering a supportive campus
culture, and addressing the mental health crisis that is currently affecting many college students.
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 By implementing these programs, universities can provide students with access to a wide range
of resources, including counseling services, mental health screenings, support groups, and peer
mentoring initiatives. Additionally, training programs can be offered to faculty and staff to help them
better identify and respond to students in distress.

These resources and support services can make a significant difference in the lives of college
students, enabling them to cope with stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges
that they may encounter during their college years. Ultimately, supporting mental health programs in
college campuses is crucial for helping students thrive academically, emotionally, and socially, both
during their time in school and beyond.

This literature review aims to raise awareness about mental health issues on college campuses
and the general mental well-being of students. The study will focus on initiatives that promote open
discussions around raising awareness on mental health-related issues, reducing the stigma
surrounding mental health problems, and enhancing access to mental health programs on college
campuses.

Raising Awareness about Mental Health related issues:

According to Ihuoma Njoku, M.D. (November 2022) Mental health forms the bedrock of our
emotional state, cognitive abilities, interpersonal communications, educational pursuits, resilience,
optimism, and self-worth. It is essential for nurturing healthy relationships, maintaining personal and
emotional stability, and making meaningful contributions to society. Mental health is an integral aspect
of our total wellness and is interconnected with our physical health, with each capable of impacting the
other. In educational institutions, mental health plays a significant role in influencing students' abilities
to process understanding, engage in critical thinking, and effectively communicate themselves.

According to (About Student Mental Health, n.d) There are three mental health problems which
are common among students; anxiety disorders are among the most often identified mental health
issues. Anxiety is characterized by feelings of worry, tension, or fear, especially around events that are
approaching or that we believe may occur in the future. If your anxiety interferes with your capacity to
live life to the fullest that you desire, it may develop into a mental health issue. Another prevalent
mental health issue among students is depression. A mental health condition known as depression is
characterized by poor mood or a loss of interest and enjoyment in activities. It impacts your day-to-day
life and can lead to a variety of other changes. Lastly, Suicidal thoughts. Having suicidal thoughts or
believing that people would be better off without you are examples of suicidal feelings. It may also
entail having an exact plan to commit suicide or considering suicide options. These mental health
issues may trigger off a vicious cycle in which academic challenges increase mental health issues,
resulting in increased stress and possibly more serious psychological issues.

Mental health is a significant concern for college students as it has a considerable impact on
their overall well-being and academic performance. According to Best Colleges (2022, October 18),
many college students experience symptoms of serious mental health conditions such as depression

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and anxiety. On college campuses, mental health is a serious problem that has an impact on students'
general quality of life as well as their academic achievement. The pressure to perform well in school,
on social matters, and in one's personal life can make adapting to college life difficult.

According to (“Understanding the Impact of Mental Health on Academic Performance,” n.d.)

Problems with mental health impact all aspects of student life. Reduced motivation and a lack of
confidence when completing assignments or taking tests are caused by low self-esteem. Students who
suffer from anxiety may find it challenging to focus on class or study. Depression can cause a person to
lose attention and concentration, which makes it difficult for a student to stay motivated or finish
assignments on time. Fortunately, those are just a few of the various difficulties that students deal with
in order to balance their academic achievement and mental wellness. This frequently results in
illnesses like anxiety and depression, which may affect the ability of students to perform at their best.

In summary, mental health is an important aspect of college students' lives, influencing their
emotional well-being, cognitive functions, and social relationships. The prevalence of depression,
anxiety, and thoughts of suicide among students not only puts at risk their academic performance, but
also their overall life fulfillment and opportunities for the future.

Reducing the Stigma Surrounding Mental Health Problems:

Among college students, a lack of knowledge and awareness of on-campus mental health
resources is a significant barrier to seeking mental health help. Perhaps also, the students see that
engaging on the issue of mental health leads them to become victims of stigma from other people.

All of this begins with the lack of sufficient knowledge regarding the diverse field of mental
health, that only prevents students from seeking professional mental health to solve their emerging
problems. They just won't tell the appropriate professionals so they won't be discriminated against.
Mainly, lack of awareness provides a huge factor why students are not comfortable seeking help to
avoid stigmatizing labels from society.

According to the research of (Beasley et al., 2020), we can determine that increased mental
health literacy and less stigmatized attitudes among college students are both associated with
increased self-efficacy. As both a strong sense of self-efficacy and high mental health literacy have
been associated with increased mental well-being, this study specifically examines the relationship
between mental health literacy and self-efficacy among college students, and if this relationship is
moderated by mental health stigma.

This statement was supported by the present study according to Shim, Y., Eaker, R., & Park, J.
(2022), highlights that mental health awareness increases and stigma associated with psychological
disorders decrease through mental health education. Using specific mental health education, such as
Abnormal Psychology, opens further research and applications in developing various mental health
education fields.

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 Based on the study of (Ebert et al., 2019), Only 24.6% of students reported that they would
definitely seek treatment if they had a future emotional problem. The most commonly reported reasons
not to seek treatment among students who failed to report that they would definitely seek help were the
preference to handle the problem alone (56.4%) and wanting to talk with friends or relatives instead
(48.0%). Preference to handle the problem alone and feeling too embarrassed were also associated
with significantly reduced odds of having at least some intention to seek help among students who
failed to report that they would definitely seek help.

As mentioned above, most students are probably self-confident that they can solve their own
problems therefore they do not seek help from mental health practitioners. The same goes for the
presence and help of their friends and family, it's true that it reduces the problem but when it comes to
serious mental health concerns, it's still good to be themselves, friends and relatives should take one
step forward to refer when seen that a student is interrupting and not functioning in daily life.

Enhancing Accessibility to Mental Health Programs:

Mental health challenges can significantly affect a student's academic performance, and
therefore, colleges must take steps to increase accessibility to mental health programs. This could
involve providing counseling services, support groups, mental health check-ups, and other resources to
students. To promote students' well-being, it is essential to ensure that they have access to adequate
mental health support.

Colleges and universities should take steps towards normalizing mental health checkups by
offering free and readily accessible screenings for their students. According to Amy L. Eva (2019,
January 11), students should be encouraged to monitor their mental health the same way they monitor
their physical health. Some universities are already normalizing mental health checkups by offering
free, readily accessible screenings for their students.

As students, it is important to normalize mental health check-ups in order to promote better

mental health. Many students may feel uncomfortable seeking mental health services due to the stigma
that surrounds it or fear of being judged. By making mental health check-ups a routine part of the
college experience, students may feel more comfortable seeking support when needed.

As per Ace. (2018, December 17), providing mental health and substance use services is
essential to offer accessible, consistent, and high-quality mental health services to students. This
strategy should be comprehensive and include strong and flexible services; adequate staffing levels
and staff diversity reflective of the student population; flexibility in treatment approaches; and clinic
hours that are reflective of student schedules. Since most college clinics are free, the length of
treatment is often limited. So it’s important that campus mental health services can help students find
off-campus resources that can provide long-term care if needed.

We strongly believe that improving accessibility and creating a supportive campus environment
are crucial for promoting mental health among students. When students perceive that their mental
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health is given priority and that support is readily available, they are more likely to feel valued,
understood, and supported in their mental health journey. This can help create a positive and inclusive
campus community where students can thrive both academically and personally.

In order to promote students' mental health, a comprehensive approach is necessary. This

approach should include accessible mental health programs, normalizing mental health check-ups, and
creating a supportive campus environment. By implementing these steps, colleges can help students
better manage their mental health challenges, enhance their overall college experience, and set them
up for success in the future.

Conclusion

College students are facing an increasing number of mental health challenges, which have
significant implications for their overall well-being. Mental health problems such as stress, anxiety, and
depression can be caused by various factors, including academic pressure, social isolation, financial
difficulties, and personal problems. As such, it is imperative to address these issues directly and
provide effective support programs to assist students in coping with these challenges.

To ensure that students receive the necessary mental health support, universities must offer
comprehensive programs that prioritize both academic success and emotional well-being. These
programs should include access to mental health resources such as counseling, therapy, and support
groups. Additionally, universities should work to raise awareness about mental health and reduce the
stigma surrounding mental health issues, as this can encourage more students to seek help when they
need it.

Investing in mental health resources on college campuses can have a significant impact on
students' lives, both during their time in school and beyond. By providing students with the tools and
support they need to manage their mental health, universities can help them thrive academically,
emotionally, and socially. This, in turn, can lead to better long-term outcomes such as improved job
prospects, increased life satisfaction, and better overall health.

Lastly, supporting mental health programs on college campuses is critical for the holistic
development and success of our students. By prioritizing mental health and well-being, we can create a
culture that values and supports the whole person, rather than just their academic achievements. This
can help students feel empowered, resilient, and prepared to navigate the challenges of college and
beyond.

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World Health Organization (WHO) (n.d.). Mental Health

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