Mental Health and Well-being among Canadian University Students: Review and Recommendations

Abstract

Mental health and well-being among Canadian university students have been declining over the past few decades (Durand-Bush, McNeill, Harding, & Dobransky 2015; Mahmoud, Staten, Hall, & Lennie, 2012; Markoulakis & Kirsh, 2013; Nunes et al., 2014). A number of studies demonstrate a positive association between academic success and optimal mental health (Durand-Bush et al., 2015; Markoulakis & Kirsh, 2013; Nunes et al., 2014). Research shows there is a greater prevalence of psychological distress in university students compared to young adults in the general population (Durand-Bush et al., 2015). This literature review examines a few explanations for this decline in mental health and some potential stressors that may have contributed to this problem. The literature reveals the following factors as the most prevalent in the decline of Canadian students’ mental health: academic pressure, financial stress, and increased competition in higher education. Finally, the paper suggests recommendations for future research and strategies to be employed by higher educational institutions to increase psychological well-being. This paper is modeled using Keyes’s dual-factor model of mental health.