Mental Wellness and the University Student | Jordy Decker | TEDxUBCO

Summary

This transcript highlights the pressing issue of mental health in higher education, focusing on the stress caused by systemic pressures like financial burdens, rigid grading policies, and time constraints. The speaker advocates for a more supportive academic environment through flexible policies, inclusive curricula, and empathy from professors. By implementing small changes such as extended deadlines, diverse readings, and alternative forms of participation, universities can foster positive mental health. The speaker urges a shift in perspective, calling for students to be treated as human beings rather than mere statistics in the educational system.

Takeaways

• 😀 Mental illness is a growing epidemic, and preventative measures are crucial to reduce its prevalence, especially in academic settings.
• 😀 Many students struggle with mental health issues due to systemic stressors like financial burdens, heavy course loads, and rigid academic policies.
• 😀 While counseling and medication are common solutions, universities need to focus more on prevention and reducing stress through course design and systemic changes.
• 😀 Financial stress, including the cost of textbooks, parking fees, and tuition, contributes significantly to student anxiety and mental health struggles.
• 😀 Strict academic policies, such as harsh penalties for late assignments, create unnecessary stress and exacerbate mental health challenges.
• 😀 University schedules and expectations, such as 'hell weeks' or multiple midterms, often leave students overwhelmed and unable to rest, which negatively affects their well-being.
• 😀 Time constraints, excessive readings, and workload across multiple courses leave students feeling demotivated and burned out, sometimes causing them to disengage from coursework altogether.
• 😀 Participation anxiety is a real challenge for students, and professors should offer alternative methods of participation beyond speaking in class to accommodate different learning styles.
• 😀 Professors can help reduce stress by making the classroom more transparent, acknowledging their own human struggles, and diversifying reading materials to reflect different perspectives.
• 😀 Practical solutions like flexible deadlines, online access to resources, and multiple modes of assessment can make a significant difference in reducing stress and supporting student mental health.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the speaker's message?

The main focus of the speaker's message is to address the mental health challenges faced by students, particularly in the university system, and to propose preventative measures and changes to alleviate stress and improve overall well-being.

What role do professors play in the mental health of students, according to the speaker?

According to the speaker, professors have the power to positively impact students' mental health by creating more transparent and supportive learning environments, offering flexible policies, and being mindful of the systemic pressures that contribute to stress.

How does the speaker suggest that mental illness can be managed?

The speaker suggests that mental illness can be managed through both individual actions, like eating better and sleeping more, and systemic changes in university policies, such as more flexible deadlines and reducing financial pressures.

What are the three main stressors that the speaker identifies for students?

The three main stressors identified are financial stress (such as the high cost of textbooks and fees), heavy consequences (like severe penalties for late assignments), and time constraints (due to heavy workloads and inflexible schedules).

What is 'management hell week,' and why is it considered detrimental?

'Management hell week' refers to a stressful week in the third year of study where students face a midterm every day, leaving them with little to no time for rest during the reading break. This excessive stress is seen as harmful to students' mental health and academic performance.

What specific course policy does the speaker critique regarding assignment deadlines?

The speaker critiques the policy where assignments are due at the beginning of class and are penalized for being late by even a few seconds, which adds unnecessary stress and pressure on students.

How does the speaker suggest professors can make courses more inclusive and supportive?

Professors can make courses more inclusive and supportive by diversifying reading materials to include scholars from various backgrounds, acknowledging the land they are teaching on, and offering different assessment methods to cater to different learning styles.

What are some of the practical suggestions the speaker provides for professors to help alleviate student stress?

Some practical suggestions include implementing flexible assignment deadlines, posting readings online instead of requiring expensive textbooks, conducting quizzes on syllabi to ensure students understand available resources, and allowing multiple ways to participate in class beyond speaking up.

Why does the speaker advocate for a more flexible late policy?

The speaker advocates for a more flexible late policy because some students may struggle with time management due to personal or academic pressures. By allowing flexibility, students are not penalized harshly for late submissions and are given a fairer chance to complete assignments.

How does the speaker suggest handling participation marks for students who have difficulty speaking up in class?

The speaker suggests that participation marks should not solely depend on speaking up in class. Instead, professors should recognize alternative forms of participation, such as engaging in class material outside of class or contributing in other ways that may not involve speaking publicly.