Abstract:

Mental health problems can have a significant impact on the academic achievement of tertiary students, which in turn can impact upon their capacity to reach their career and employment potential. At times mental health problems can also impact on other students, staff and on institutions. Despite high prevalence rates of psychological distress in university students and greater access to counselling and health service than the general population, relatively few students access services to increase their wellbeing. This paper will present the results from a feasibility study embedding a strength-focused resilience building seminar within a university curriculum. The Staying on Track seminar, consisting of 6 building blocks for resilience, has been incorporated in the curriculum for law and psychology students with high levels of satisfaction. Satisfaction also translated into self-reported positive behaviour change for many students. The seminar will be discussed as part of a multilevel approach to enhancing resilience in tertiary students.

Keywords:

Tertiary students, resilience, curriculum.