Support Services to Enhance Students' Mental Health in Higher Education Institutions in Namibia

Background

Mental health is a fundamental human right and an integral component of our overall health and well-being. The World Health Organisation [WHO] (2022) defines mental health as a condition of well-being in which every individual realises their potential, can deal with the pressures of everyday life, is productive in their work, and can make a positive contribution to society. Having sound mental health enables individuals to enhance their capacity for social interaction, cognitive functioning, adaptive coping, and overall well-being. For students to be able to navigate life's challenges in addition to those that are a direct consequence of being a student, mental health is even more crucial. Therefore, the prioritisation of student mental health within the context of higher education institutions should be a central focus in conversations pertaining to the overall welfare of students. According to Goodman (2017), mental health is a significant concern among post-secondary education students due to the unique developmental opportunities presented by institutions of higher education environment. This is because institutions of higher learning offer a crucial platform for equipping students with necessary skills to foster long-term mental health and overall well-being.