Researchers at the University of Guelph’s Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) are investigating post-secondary student mental health and aim to identify protective factors and possible interventions.
These efforts are important, as current research demonstrates a significant challenge to mental health across university campuses.
Dr. Andrew Papadopoulos, a professor in OVC’s Department of Population Medicine and Coordinator of the Master of Public Health Program at the OVC, has actively researched post-secondary student mental health for many years. Papadopoulos has focused these studies on the impact of poor mental health on academics at post-secondary institutions, including the University of Guelph.
Dr. Andrew Papadopoulos
When conducting his work, Papadopoulos starts every study by determining the prevalence of poor mental health on the university campuses. He hopes this will add to the conversation around mental health at post-secondary institutions and highlight its significant burden in student populations.
In a 2019 survey conducted at the University of Guelph, as part of the the National College Health Assessment (NCHA) survey which evaluates the overall health and well-being of post-secondary students at schools across North America, almost half of participating students indicated they had experienced overwhelming stress within the two weeks preceding the study. Other mental health concerns such as anxiety and depression, were reported with great frequency as well.
“Our research has found there are many risk factors that contribute to an individual’s poor mental health,” Papadopoulos shares, “however, we have also found the protective factors remain very consistent.”
Protective factors include resilience, self-efficacy, positive self-esteem, and a sense of belonging or community, all which have been proven to result in positive mental health amongst student populations.
“Findings from this research can inform post-secondary educational institutions and develop interventions which promote these protective factors and support positive mental health,” said Papadopoulos.
Advina Kamaric, a Master of Public Health student supervised by Papadopoulos, recently completed her research on risk and protective factors associated with dieting among Canadian post-secondary students.
Aria Keshoofy, an MSc student supervised by Papadopoulos, is currently researching how post-secondary institutions can facilitate hope in their students, and how this could have positive effects in all aspects of their life.
Laurel Jarvis is another MSc student in OVC’s Department of Population Medicine also supervised by Papadopoulos. Jarvis is evaluating the Take-a-Paws program on UofG campus, looking at how therapy dogs could be used throughout the year to improve and support the mental well-being of post-secondary students.
Hana MacDonald, a Master of Public Health student co-supervised by Papadopoulos, is currently researching facilitators and barriers for post-secondary students seeking on-campus mental health services to improve awareness of what services are available.
Ultimately, Papadopoulos strives to have this research benefit post-secondary students by promoting positive mental health, thereby allowing students to perform optimally during their post-secondary studies.
He also hopes findings will help to develop resilience skills in students, which will continue to support their mental health after leaving school.
The data for this research was obtained through the National College Health Association survey, which is conducted every three years and funded by the University of Guelph.