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The Conversation
The Conversation
Natalie M Frandsen, Assistant Teaching Professor, School of Public Health and Social Policy, University of Victoria

4 ways all online university courses could promote student mental health

Many universities have adopted policy frameworks that outline language, principles and values to promote health and well-being in various ways. (rawpixel)

One quarter of first-year university students in Canada self-declare that they have a disability. Among those, mental-health-related disabilities are the most common. Each year, more students with self-declared mental-health issues enroll in post-secondary institutions.

At the same time in Canada, more students are taking online courses, particularly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. For students with disabilities, online learning might be the best option to pursue post-secondary education.


Read more: Do university students want more online learning, post-pandemic? Here's what some chose before COVID-19


My doctoral research explored various influences that affect learning for post-secondary students with mental-health-related disabilities who are studying online, drawing on the perspectives of students, instructors and student support staff.

A woman sits at a desk using a laptop.
For some students with mental-health related disabilities, online learning might be the best option for post-secondary education. (Pexels/Ketut Subiyanto)

Course work is central to student experience

To get a picture of the range of influences on learning, I categorized influences on learning as individual (for example, experiencing symptoms of mental illness), inter-personal (relationships with instructors and peers) and institutional (factors like accessibility of course content and student services).

My study findings suggest online learning spaces ought to be inclusive and accessible, and that they can be key locations for promoting mental health for students.

While the post-secondary experience is not all about course work, completing assignments, writing exams and attending lectures is a big part of students’ daily lives.

This makes academic courses prime forums where instructors can promote mental health by sharing mental health resources (providing information about student mental health services) and by designing accessible and flexible courses.

Universities’ commitments to well-being

There are many opportunities to make post-secondary institutions more accessible, inclusive and health promoting.

What’s known as the Okanagan Charter is an international charter that outlines language, principles and framework that post-secondary institutions should use to promote health and well-being. Forty-four Canadian post-secondary institutions have taken up aspects of this charter as part of the Canadian Health Promoting Campuses Network.

Video about the Okanagan Charter.

Simon Fraser University, for example, has areas for action for promoting mental health including:

What students want

Students in my study were asked: “What advice would you give to your professors/instructors (teaching online courses) to facilitate inclusive and supportive learning environments for students with mental-health-related disorders?” Students suggested the following:

1) Use elements of universal design for learning to provide accessibility for all students while also promoting mental health. For example, recording lectures can improve student engagement by being concerned with maximizing student autonomy and individual choice while offering multiple ways to access course material and reduce stress. Students said:

“Online learning has been wonderful for my mental health. It has allowed me to work around periods of time that I have had major mood issues. If I’m feeling really down one day, since things are recorded, I can just go back when I’m feeling better and actually attend the class.”

“When you’re at a point in which you just cannot pull yourself out of the house or go to class, having a recorded class that you can go over is extremely helpful.”

A person seen silhouetted sitting at a computer.
Learning about mental health literacy will help instructors design their courses with flexibility and accessibility in mind. (Gabriela Campos/Santa Fe New Mexican via AP, File)

2) When possible, offer flexible due dates for assignments for all students. Having to ask for extensions can be difficult for students who are already experiencing the negative effects of mental-health-related stigma.

3) Students consistently said they are juggling multiple priorities (academics, jobs and family) and managing stress with varied levels of support. They wanted instructors to know that inevitably, there will be times when they need support and they would like compassion from instructors. They want instructors to understand their need for flexibility doesn’t mean lack of a work ethic.

4) Learn about mental health literacy. Learning about common mental illnesses and how mental health affects learning will help instructors use teaching methods that centre flexibility and accessibility.

Setting the stage for wellness

The results of this study suggest that online courses can be designed to be accessible and to promote mental health.

With growing numbers of students studying online, many of whom have mental-health-related disabilities, it is critical that educators integrate accessibility and mental-health promotion into course design. Courses that are designed to be accessible and to promote mental health set the stage for learning and wellness.

As the shift toward online teaching and learning continues, educators must understand the range of influences on learning for students with mental-health-related disabilities to provide equitable and accessible learning environments where all students can reach their academic goals.

The Conversation

Natalie M Frandsen received Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council funding for her doctoral research.

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.

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