Key Question - Research Priorities for Student Mental Health - Organised by Code.xlsx

Background

The high prevalence of mental distress among university students is gaining academic, policy, and public attention. As research efforts mount, it is important to involve students to ensure that work in this field translates into meaningful improvements. The aim of this study was to consult students in the UK on their priorities for future research into student mental health.

Methods

In this cross-sectional priority setting exercise, current UK university students were asked to submit three research questions relating to student mental health. Responses were aggregated into themes through content analysis and considered in the context of existing research.

Outcomes

UK university students (N = 385) submitted 991 questions, categorised into the following themes: (1) epidemiology and trends, (2) causes and risk factors, (3) academic factors and work-life balance, (4) sense of belonging, (5) intervention and services, (6) mental health literacy, and (7) consequences. Across themes, respondents highlighted the importance of understanding the experience of minority groups.

Interpretation

Students’ research interests are mostly unmet in the existing literature. In line with student priorities, future research should identify how mental health problems vary across the student population and investigate risk and protective factors. Students are interested in how academic and social cultures impact mental health at university; in particular, repeated reference to pressure and loneliness was striking. Future research should take a broad lens to evaluate interventions; considering how services are designed and delivered and investigating institutional and behavioural barriers to accessibility.