The urgent need for mental health support in South Africa's universities

The growing prevalence of mental health challenges among South African university students has escalated into one of the most pressing social and institutional issues of our time. As institutions like Higher Health South Africa (Higher Health SA) unveil stark statistics, education experts are calling for urgent action to ensure the mental wellbeing of students is prioritised.

Dr Linda Meyer, MD at IIE Rosebank College and President of Rosebank International University College Ghana, says that between January 2021 and June 2023, Higher Health SA reached over 321 000 students with mental health interventions, and more than 23 450 students received psychosocial support and counselling. These numbers not only illustrate the demand for mental health resources, but also highlight a growing awareness of mental health as a crucial component of academic success.

“University life typically coincides with a developmental phase when many mental health conditions first emerge,” notes Dr Meyer. Disorders such as anxiety and depression often surface between the ages of 17 and 25 - the same period when young people transition into tertiary education. As they leave home and confront new academic and social expectations, the excitement of independence can quickly turn into an overwhelming burden.

This shift, compounded by financial stress, housing insecurity and social isolation, places students at a high risk for psychological distress. Alarmingly, a national study conducted across 17 South African universities found that 37.1% of students met the criteria for anxiety disorders, and 16.3% reported mood disorders. Almost a quarter of those surveyed disclosed having experienced suicidal thoughts within the last month, yet only one in five received treatment.

Dr Meyer points out that various barriers contribute to this crisis. “Factors like cost, lack of time, fear of stigma, and the misconception that mental illness signifies weakness lead students to overlook their distress. Consequently, this often results in declining academic performance, increased absenteeism, and, in severe cases, dropout rates that are disastrous for both students and institutions.”

To counteract this trend, Dr Meyer insists that universities must move beyond merely managing crises; they need to cultivate a proactive culture of prevention and care. “It’s imperative for university leadership to weave mental health into their institutional strategies. This includes allocating resources for counselling services, training staff to identify at-risk students, and implementing regular well-being check-ins.”

Moreover, proactive steps such as workshops on stress management, emotional regulation, and resilience can help create a supportive environment conducive to well-being. Academics should also embrace flexible deadlines and compassionate engagement, which are vital for reducing psychological distress among students.

The realities of university life can be daunting and may disguise warning signs of deeper issues. Dr Meyer emphasises the importance of students recognising these early indicators: persistent sadness or hopelessness; changes in sleep or appetite; difficulty concentrating or making decisions; social withdrawal; irritability, anger, or emotional numbness; decline in academic performance; physical symptoms like headaches or unexplained aches; and thoughts of self-harm or suicide.

If these signals resonate with a student, taking the next step towards support is crucial. This can mean reaching out to a campus counsellor or using digital tools such as Higher Health's crisis support line. “Early intervention indicates self-awareness and strength - it helps safeguard academic progress and encourages long-term well-being,” insists Dr Meyer.

Collaboration is key; partnerships between universities, Higher Health SA, the Department of Health, and community mental health organisations can expand the capacity for professional care. Investment in mental health research tailored to the context of South African higher education is also vital for developing effective interventions.

“Attending to the mental health crisis in higher education is both a moral and strategic necessity,” Dr Meyer says. “South Africa’s future leaders deserve not only knowledge, but also resilience, empathy, and emotional intelligence.”

By integrating mental health into the core mission of education, universities can transform into communities that genuinely care.

Operating across South African universities and colleges, Higher Health SA provides essential interventions that include awareness campaigns, mental health screenings, and support mechanisms aimed at destigmatising mental illness.