The Importance of Faculty Wellbeing to Student Mental Health in Higher Education
The importance of our environment’s impact on our mental health is essential to consider, especially in higher education. Faculty set the tone for a healthy classroom environment, making it essential to prioritize faculty wellbeing to support students in higher education. With mental health issues increasing in college campuses, faculty members are on the front lines of student mental health. Considering that “faculty are in a position to witness the demeanor of students, week in and week out” it is evident that faculty members are a large component of students' lives.
According to insights from College Pulse, 45% of students say that faculty are responsible for their mental health. Valuing faculty members’ wellbeing can lead to a nourishing and safe classroom for students to thrive in both academically and mentally. When students are mentally strong, they are set to succeed, since mental wellness is crucial for success. Therefore, ensuring faculty have high mental wellbeing is invaluable for the success of their students.
Faculty Members Are Role Models
Faculty influences students and have an effect on their future career decisions, as “professors can be perceived as academic role models” to students. A healthy learning environment starts with valuing faculty wellbeing, which in turn supports student wellbeing. Moreover, faculty can model positive behaviors and leadership for students to pick up and implement in their futures. Additionally, if schools continue to give mental health support to faculty, not only will they “excel at their jobs,” but also foster positive relationships with students, which “develops students’ competence and improves academic performance.”
Institutions Are Responsible
In order for faculty to create a healthy environment to support students’ wellbeing, institutions may benefit from providing mental health support for their faculty. According to a narrative review regarding mental health and well-being among university faculty, “university staff often feel unable to disclose mental health issues, indicating a lack of familiarity with support structures as well as fear of stigma and discrimination.” Universities may consider avoiding putting their faculty in a position where they feel any level of discomfort concerning mental health. The role of faculty is to create a “learning environment with which students engage and can contribute to reducing the number of stressors in that environment.” It is apparent that faculty plays a significant role in the success of students, making it mutually beneficial for universities to value faculty wellbeing. Unfortunately, faculty “may not have the tools and/or the confidence they need” to support student wellness, despite their willingness to do so (Centre for Innovation in Campus Mental Health). The lack of support faculty members receive is an obstacle they face, which increases faculty stress. Faculty members play a vital role in students’ lives, so they should have access to any tools necessary to make an impact for their students!
