As the mental health care provider shortage continues throughout the United States, faculty and staff at higher education institutions feel increasingly responsible for students’ mental health and well-being.
According to a national survey by TimelyCare, which was taken by more than 500 faculty and staff members at public and private four-year and two-year colleges and universities, more than half (53%) have considered leaving their jobs due to burnout, increased workload, and stress. Part of the problem is the vast majority (76%) feel supporting students’ mental health has become a job expectation.
A Healthy Minds Study (HMS) Faculty/Staff Survey, distributed from Sept. 2022 to May 2023, found that 90% of faculty agree that “student mental health is significantly worse now than when they began their careers.” Another 72% reported having had one-on-one conversations with a student about their mental or emotional health in the past year.
Nearly 50% of faculty also said supporting those students has “taken a toll on my own mental and emotional health,” and 81% feel their institution should be investing more resources to support faculty and staff mental health and wellbeing.
“The weight of faculty and staff burnout and stress threatens the foundation of higher education. When faculty and staff are struggling, it’s hard for them to support students to their fullest potential,” said Dr. Bob Booth, Chief Care Officer of TimelyCare. “To build a resilient generation of future leaders, we must ensure that all campus employees receive the support they need and deserve.”
Amy Rock Editorial LLC 