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

  • Review
  • Published:
International Journal of Public Health

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.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the member of the Mental Wellbeing Group at Healthy Sydney University, who oversighted this review during all the process, providing useful comments and inputs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mental Health Policy Unit-Brain and Mind Centre University of Sydney, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia

    A. Fernandez & L. Salvador-Carulla

  2. Healthy Sydney University, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia

    E. Howse, M. Leech & G. Llewellyn

  3. Department of Research and Teaching, Sant Joan de Deu Foundation, Barcelona, Spain

    M. Rubio-Valera

  4. Spanish Network for Preventive Activities and Health Promotion in Primary Care (redIAPP), Barcelona, Spain

    M. Rubio-Valera

  5. School of Pharmacy, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

    M. Rubio-Valera

  6. University Library, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia

    K. Thorncraft

  7. Ageing, Work and Health Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia

    J. Noone

  8. Student Support Services, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia

    X. Luu

  9. Discipline of Behavioural and Social Sciences in Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia

    X. Luu

  10. St Andrew’s College, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia

    X. Luu

  11. Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia

    B. Veness

  12. Sancta Sophia College, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia

    M. Leech

  13. Centre for Disability Research and Policy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia

    G. Llewellyn & L. Salvador-Carulla

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  1. A. Fernandez
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  2. E. Howse
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  3. M. Rubio-Valera
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  4. K. Thorncraft
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  5. J. Noone
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  6. X. Luu
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  7. B. Veness
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  8. M. Leech
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  9. G. Llewellyn
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  10. L. Salvador-Carulla
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to A. Fernandez.

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This paper presents the results of a systematic review of published studies. No ethical approval was required.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Fernandez, A., Howse, E., Rubio-Valera, M. et al. Setting-based interventions to promote mental health at the university: a systematic review. Int J Public Health 61, 797–807 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-016-0846-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-016-0846-4

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