Institutional Support Available to Enhance the Mental Health of Students at the University of Namibia

Introduction

The mental health of university students is a topic of increasing concern, both globally and within the context of the University of Namibia (Pillay, 2022). Mental health emphasises the need to face life difficulties without the student collapsing under pressure. Campbell et al. (2022) explain that mental health challenges among university students is a rising concern. Furthermore, a study by Mutinta (2022) found that mental distress is more prevalent in student communities than in the general population. This is supported by Agrawal and Sharma (2022), who state that many mental disorders present among young people within the age range of 18 to 24 years, corresponding to the average enrolment in higher education institutions, an observation which is worrying. Mental health encompasses an extricable relationship between three factors: social, emotional and psychological wellbeing (Agrawal & Sharma, 2022). In addition, harmony between the three leads to mental wellbeing, signifying a process where the individual can think, feel, and react in varying conditions based on their decisions. When one or more of the three experiences distress, negative consequences will disturb the student ‘s mental wellbeing (Neupert, 2022). It is critical for higher education institutions to consider students’ mental health by providing supportive environment that will ensure harmony between their social, emotional and psychological wellbeing. A supportive environment for students is one which provides relevant services and supportive policies for students in higher institutions of learning can helps them to successfully overcome their psychological challenges that may be encountered during their academic life. Alternative sources of support could help students to cope with psychological challenges and study skill adversities, which are some of the challenges experienced in higher education (Barrable et al., 2018). The term “student support” describes a broad range of services, tools and programmes that educational institutions offer to help students with many elements of their overall, academic and personal development (Huijser et al., 2022). These services are intended to improve students' success and overall wellbeing throughout their academic careers. Academic support, mental health and counselling services, financial aid, career counselling, and access to resources are just a few of the many aspects of student support that contribute to students' development, wellbeing and success in both academic and extracurricular contexts (Cenko & Canollari-Baze, 2018). The purpose of student support is to provide a welcoming, inclusive learning environment that promotes students' holistic development and assists them in overcoming obstacles they may face while pursuing their education (Simpson, 2018). The available institutional support services include counselling sessions, financial aid programs, and specialized resources designed to assist students in overcoming mental health challenges. This background underscores the vital need for continued institutional support, emphasizing the significance of targeted interventions, awareness campaigns, and the availability of resources to enhance the mental health and well-being of students at UNAM.