The new HFD Spotlight deals with the overarching question of how the mental health of students can be promoted more strongly within digital higher education. After all, digital teaching is proving to be particularly challenging in terms of students’ mental health. In cooperation with the Dresden research project enhance and the student initiative DigitalChangeMakers, Tina Basner has clearly presented the background and solution approaches in this new publication. It offers interested parties an easy introduction to the topic and shows what is important when implementing solutions. You can read the new Spotlight free of charge here.

The “Student Mental Health in Digital Higher Education” spotlight combines established knowledge with current results from a qualitative study conducted by the enhance team. Students and lecturers report on their personal experiences and tell us in which situations their mental health was particularly at risk during their digital studies and what they think would have helped. The different experiences are true to life and illustrate the mental health challenges that students currently face in (digital) teaching.

But what concrete steps can be taken to promote and strengthen mental health in digital studies? Tina Basner and her co-authors have compiled helpful information that contextualizes problems on the one hand and identifies ways to overcome them on the other. These are offers that teachers can easily integrate into their work. Practical overviews help with implementation and show what is particularly important.

It is clear that universities must take their role as places of health promotion seriously and provide appropriate structures and resources. The provision of various digital tools alone is not enough. A culture of support, empathy and participation is required.

If you are interested in the topic of well-being and mental health in the digital age at universities, take a look at the think tank page of the same name and the new topic dossier. There you will find further information, publications and event information. Or do you have ideas and good practices on how we can make universities a healthier place in the digital age?

The HFD offers you a platform and the opportunity to become visible, e.g. through blog posts, workshops or presentations at our events, and to jointly develop solutions and recommendations for action. Please contact Tina Basner for more information.