Mental health and well-being

Advice on effective mental health support for students and staff to create a happier, healthier campus. Find out how universities and academics can promote well-being, protect their campus community from spiralling stress, minimise the risk of burnout and build resilience - from institutional practices that create a culture of care to personal self-care tips and healthy habits for overworked academics and students.

By Eliza.Compton, 13 December, 2023

How to survive the academic treadmill

When working hours are stretched to cover marking, induction and other tasks, what is a busy scholar to do? Here, James Derounian offers suggestions for taking essential downtime

Reading time

4minutes

By kiera.obrien, 5 December, 2023

Four key hurdles international students face – and what to do about them

A range of international flags, shot from below

How can we make international students’ academic journey a positive one? Katherine Mansfield suggests ways to alleviate their social, academic and language challenges

Reading time

4minutes

By kiera.obrien, 4 December, 2023

Let’s prioritise self-care for the benefit of everyone

A tray with a jar of bath salts, lilies and towels sits on the edge of a candelit bathtub

Self-care can make us better at our jobs, support our students more effectively and help to build a better community across academia. Karina Dancza offers her tips on how to implement self-care in your professional life

Reading time

4minutes

By sara.custer, 1 December, 2023

Get off your high horse: using technology to make equine courses more inclusive

Saddle pressure mat used to teach horse riding

A group of educators at Scotland’s Rural College have reached more diverse students by using wearable technology to update traditional methods of teaching horse riding

Reading time

3minutes

By sara.custer, 30 November, 2023

Three ways AI can support student success and well-being

A student uses a chat bot while she studies

A virtual assistant helped free up human resources at the University of Galway and revealed student issues that staff could not have predicted

Reading time

4minutes

By Eliza.Compton, 30 November, 2023

Five ways to support PhD students’ well-being

Young man in conversation with supervisor

Doctoral researchers are often absent from university discussions around well-being support, writes Jenny Mercer. Here, she argues that their situation requires bespoke attention and sets out ways this might be achieved

Reading time

4minutes

By kiera.obrien, 30 November, 2023

Ease the transition for international students with a holistic peer-mentoring programme

Two women walk away from the camera, their arms around each other's shoulders

Enlist peer mentors to help make international students’ transition on to your campus a smooth one. Naia Robinson shows how

Reading time

3minutes

By sara.custer, 28 November, 2023

How the shores of a VR island promote student well-being and social connections

VR can be used to improve students' mental well-being

Virtual reality environments can create safe and relaxing spaces for students, offering them mindfulness meditation and social connection, says Pete Bridge

Reading time

3minutes

By Laura.Duckett, 28 November, 2023

A blueprint for supporting students affected by forced migration

Higher education institutions should be places of safety, solidarity and empowerment for people affected by forced migration. Here’s how the Universities of Sanctuary Network is working towards this aim

Reading time

4minutes

By kiera.obrien, 27 November, 2023

Let’s make the international student experience as valuable as the degree

Given the unique challenges international students face, how can universities create an inclusive and supportive community? Educators share suggestions for helping international students thrive

Reading time

3minutes

Mental health and well-being