The engagement of tertiary students with an online mental health intervention during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: A feasibility study

Background We discuss the feasibility of a brief, online mental health promotion programme for tertiary students and establish recommendations for future programmes. Methods The programme ‘Student Elevenses’ was delivered at a tertiary education institution. ‘Student Elevenses’ aimed to promote stud...

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Main Authors: Michaela C Pascoe, Sarah Dash, Bojana Klepac Pogrmilovic, Rhiannon K Patten, Alexandra G Parker
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2022-08-01
Series:Digital Health
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076221117746
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author Michaela C Pascoe
Sarah Dash
Bojana Klepac Pogrmilovic
Rhiannon K Patten
Alexandra G Parker
author_facet Michaela C Pascoe
Sarah Dash
Bojana Klepac Pogrmilovic
Rhiannon K Patten
Alexandra G Parker
author_sort Michaela C Pascoe
collection DOAJ
description Background We discuss the feasibility of a brief, online mental health promotion programme for tertiary students and establish recommendations for future programmes. Methods The programme ‘Student Elevenses’ was delivered at a tertiary education institution. ‘Student Elevenses’ aimed to promote student wellbeing during the coronavirus disease 2019 crisis, comprised of 10–15-min daily online micro-interventions targeting six lifestyle areas for wellbeing, and was delivered via video conference. Upon programme completion, all students were invited to complete barriers to engagement survey, irrespective of whether they had attended or heard of the programme. Descriptive statistics were calculated for demographics, as well as feasibility and acceptability outcomes including recruitment rates, attendance rates and reported barriers to attendance. Open-ended questions were coded for themes. Results Less than 1% of those who consented to participate actually attended the programme, with attendance ranging from 2 to 17 participants. Participants were predominantly female (68%), domestic students (81%) and had a mean age of 29.5 years. The barriers students reported included fixed time, online format, a belief programme would not be helpful, preference for existing supports and perceived impacts of coronavirus disease 2019. Students recommended embedding support within policies/teaching, offering a range of supports and involving students in design. Conclusion Barriers to mental health promotion via telehealth should be considered to promote accessibility and acceptability for tertiary students. Future programmes should consider reaching students through mandatory activities (e.g. lectures, tutorials) and should include student consultation and co-design to support the development of programmes that meet student needs and preferences.
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spelling doaj.art-e897f4f50eda4e1bb13a3ef61715fe162022-12-22T02:18:46ZengSAGE PublishingDigital Health2055-20762022-08-01810.1177/20552076221117746The engagement of tertiary students with an online mental health intervention during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: A feasibility studyMichaela C Pascoe0Sarah Dash1Bojana Klepac Pogrmilovic2Rhiannon K Patten3Alexandra G Parker4 Institute for Health and Sport (IHES), , Melbourne, VIC, Australia Food and Mood Centre, IMPACT SRC, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia Mitchell Institute, , Melbourne, VIC, Australia Institute for Health and Sport (IHES), , Melbourne, VIC, Australia Centre for Youth Mental Health, , Parkville, VIC, AustraliaBackground We discuss the feasibility of a brief, online mental health promotion programme for tertiary students and establish recommendations for future programmes. Methods The programme ‘Student Elevenses’ was delivered at a tertiary education institution. ‘Student Elevenses’ aimed to promote student wellbeing during the coronavirus disease 2019 crisis, comprised of 10–15-min daily online micro-interventions targeting six lifestyle areas for wellbeing, and was delivered via video conference. Upon programme completion, all students were invited to complete barriers to engagement survey, irrespective of whether they had attended or heard of the programme. Descriptive statistics were calculated for demographics, as well as feasibility and acceptability outcomes including recruitment rates, attendance rates and reported barriers to attendance. Open-ended questions were coded for themes. Results Less than 1% of those who consented to participate actually attended the programme, with attendance ranging from 2 to 17 participants. Participants were predominantly female (68%), domestic students (81%) and had a mean age of 29.5 years. The barriers students reported included fixed time, online format, a belief programme would not be helpful, preference for existing supports and perceived impacts of coronavirus disease 2019. Students recommended embedding support within policies/teaching, offering a range of supports and involving students in design. Conclusion Barriers to mental health promotion via telehealth should be considered to promote accessibility and acceptability for tertiary students. Future programmes should consider reaching students through mandatory activities (e.g. lectures, tutorials) and should include student consultation and co-design to support the development of programmes that meet student needs and preferences.https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076221117746
spellingShingle Michaela C Pascoe
Sarah Dash
Bojana Klepac Pogrmilovic
Rhiannon K Patten
Alexandra G Parker
The engagement of tertiary students with an online mental health intervention during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: A feasibility study
Digital Health
title The engagement of tertiary students with an online mental health intervention during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: A feasibility study
title_full The engagement of tertiary students with an online mental health intervention during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: A feasibility study
title_fullStr The engagement of tertiary students with an online mental health intervention during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: A feasibility study
title_full_unstemmed The engagement of tertiary students with an online mental health intervention during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: A feasibility study
title_short The engagement of tertiary students with an online mental health intervention during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: A feasibility study
title_sort engagement of tertiary students with an online mental health intervention during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic a feasibility study
url https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076221117746
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