Culture of care: Students should never feel alone in facing challenges. — 123rf.com
Resilience is crucial for students to navigate challenges such as health issues, social pressures, financial difficulties, academic setbacks and homesickness.
Higher education institutions play a key role in fostering resilience, equipping students to handle the complexities of an ever-evolving, volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) world.
Beyond bouncing back
Resilience is more than just bouncing back from difficulties – it is about adapting, growing and thriving despite adversity.
For students, challenges come in various forms, including health concerns, social adjustments, financial strains, academic struggles, the loss of loved ones, or the experience of living away from home for the first time.
Given these realities, universities and colleges must take proactive steps to cultivate resilience among students.
Education and awareness
One of the most effective ways to build resilience is through mental health education and awareness.
Unfortunately, the term “mental health” is often stigmatised. To counter this, mental well-being should be seamlessly integrated into the curriculum.
An interdisciplinary approach can be adopted, embedding mental health topics across subjects such as psychology, sociology and health education.
Mental well-being could even be introduced as a standalone subject, focusing on awareness and equipping students with the knowledge to seek help when needed. Real-world case studies demonstrating the impact of mental health on individuals and society can be incorporated into disciplines such as social work, nursing and medicine.
Additionally, workshops and self-assessment tools can empower students to evaluate their mental well-being and access appropriate support.
Support services
Universities must ensure that mental health services are accessible, visible and destigmatised. This includes counselling services, peer support groups, and crisis intervention programmes.
To reach students who may hesitate to seek help in person, institutions could provide online resources and teletherapy options. Professional counsellors or therapists should be readily available, and students must be made aware of these services.
Peer-led support groups also play a vital role – sometimes, students find it easier to open up to their peers. A strong peer support network can significantly enhance resilience.
Safe space
A university should be a safe space that promotes diversity, inclusivity, mutual respect and emotional well-being.
It must be a place where leaders actively foster an environment for mental health conversations to be normalised, not stigmatised.
Initiatives such as well-being days, mentorship programmes, and guest talks by professionals from both academia and industry can help students feel a sense of belonging. When students feel supported by their institution and peers, their ability to cope with adversity strengthens.
Life skills
Resilience is not just about mental toughness – it also involves practical skills that help students navigate life. Institutions should offer programmes that teach essential life skills such as time management, financial literacy and problem-solving.
Beyond academics, students should be encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities, cultural events and community service. These experiences foster a sense of purpose, achievement and personal growth, all of which contribute to resilience.
Early intervention
Raising awareness about mental health is only the first step – proactive intervention is equally important. Universities should implement screening programmes to identify students at risk and provide targeted support.
Clear pathways should be established for students to seek help, and partnerships with local organisations, NGOs and mental health professionals can enhance the support network.
Early intervention prevents minor concerns from escalating into major crises.
Role of leadership
Strong leadership is essential in driving mental health initiatives. University leaders must champion policies and guidelines that prioritise student well-being. Beyond policy-making, leaders must ensure that adequate resources – funding, personnel and training – are allocated to support mental health programmes.
Investing in staff training is also crucial, equipping faculty members with the skills to recognise and support students facing mental health challenges. Most importantly, leaders should embody the values they promote – approachability, empathy, and proactive engagement with students’ well-being.
Indeed, challenges are a natural part of life, and students should never feel alone in facing them. While immediate solutions may not always be available, a supportive community can make all the difference.
Building resilience requires a holistic approach. Higher education institutions must empower students not just academically, but emotionally and socially as well.
By integrating mental health education into the curriculum, ensuring access to support services, fostering an inclusive campus environment, offering life skills training, implementing early intervention strategies, and demonstrating strong leadership, universities can help students thrive.
This collective responsibility ensures that students are not only prepared for academic success but also equipped with the resilience to navigate life’s challenges with confidence.
Prof Dr Murali Raman is the deputy vice-chancellor (Academic Development & Strategy) overseeing postgraduate and continuous education at Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU). Focused on executive training and consultancy, his niche areas include design thinking, coloured brain communication and emotional drivers, digital economy, digital strategy development, and mindset change. The views expressed here are the writer’s own.
