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Mental health and well-being Advice on effective mental health support for students and staff. Find out how universities and academics can protect their campus community from spiralling stress, minimise the risk of burnout and build resilience - from institutional practices that create a culture of care to personal self-care tips for overworked academics.
Copyright © 2025 THE - Times Higher Education. All rights reserved. Build empathy with your students – and grow as an academic
Find out simple ways to develop empathy in your interactions with students , and the effect it can have on your teaching as a whole
Navigating global uncertainty together : reframing our approach to control
In an ever - changing academic landscape , focusing on what we can – and can ’ t – control and influence helps us build resilience . Here , Imogen and Jay offer practical tips and …
The path towards a tobacco - free campus
For the health of students and staff and the good of the planet , a tobacco - free campus is the only option for a modern university . Ö zen A ş ut shares how the efforts of her …
THE podcast : how to look after yourself in higher education
Personal insights from a range of higher education voices on how they preserve their own well - being
Three ways to spot someone struggling – and six ways to support them
Institutional policies can only go so far when it comes to mental health . Find out how to spot a student or colleague in crisis – and what you can do to help
What will it take to find a real solution for the student mental health crisis ?
Fixing the student mental health crisis will require systemic change , not just individual coping strategies . Here ’ s how to take action and foster a culture that puts …
Not all students want to fit in , but every student wants to matter
Making students feel they matter can dramatically improve lecture attendance . Here are ways to do it
Create an environment where good mental health can thrive
How can surroundings affect the mental health of students and staff ? Follow these tips to make sure the university environment supports mental well - being
Creating a culture of belonging with inclusive pedagogy
Building cultural humility and meaningful relationships with students are two of several strategies to foster belonging in students from minoritised backgrounds
How to scale up well - being and support services
With demand for student support services skyrocketing since the pandemic , how can universities address this need ? Discover five ways to scale up
Beyond exam panic : rethinking the purpose of assessments
If students frame assessments in terms of stress , not learning , this raises the question : are universities evaluating students ’ growth or simply their ability to …
What does empathy look like in the classroom ?
How to demonstrate empathy for students – and self – to improve classroom interactions and ensure equity
Let ’ s make the university a safe space to discuss sensitive topics
Public debate is becoming ever more polarised , both on and offline . But higher education has an opportunity to lay out a blueprint for healthy dialogue , starting in …
What trauma - informed practice is not
Before trauma - informed care can be the norm across all areas of the university , academic and professional staff need to understand what it is . Here , three academics …
Nurturing supervisor - supervisee relationships
How to foster productive supervisor - supervisee relationships and address challenges when they arise
The power of positivity : how a simple question went viral
The viral success of a social media post offers insights on how universities can use simple , authentic and emotionally resonant content to drive engagement and …
Is authentic assessment leaving some students behind ?
Does a more authentic assessment for some students mean an inauthentic experience for others ? Here ’ s how to address this by adopting a student - focused …
Building a culture of care to support students ’ mental health
Mental health support is a community - wide concern , which includes easy - to - access counselling , staff awareness and training , an empathetic environment and community …
Online should not mean offline for business lecturers
When online courses are delivered more or less to a prescribed script , this leaves little space for an educator ’ s personalised contribution and autonomy , writes Anita …
How to prevent compassion fatigue
Many educators experience compassion fatigue at some point in their careers . Prevent it by shifting your perspective , setting boundaries and building strong support …
Show students you care
When you prioritise well - being , your students will thank you for it . Show kindness by taking steps to reduce cognitive load and create a welcoming and engaging learning …
Providing the right resources for students who work alongside study
Student services and scholarships are among the support systems that can help students manage a job in tandem with their university education
How to know when students need mental health assistance
Academic institutions have a rare opportunity to intervene to help students with mental health challenges , but this requires support and training for staff and faculty , writes …
Fostering an ‘ I can ’ attitude in students
Challenging assumptions about competency and student independence and promoting self - reflection can foster agency , writes Megan Jones
British sign language users deserve a place in higher education
BSL users are under - represented in academia . What can we do to foster an inclusive environment for them ?
How to transition from a student to a researcher mindset
Tips for developing a professional network , building resilience and making a realistic research career plan
A practical guide to better public speaking : part two
The second in a two - part series , here ’ s how to hone your public speaking skills , using the three Cs
A practical guide to better public speaking : part one
Getting through long , not - so - interesting talks is a common experience in academia . But if we all agree it can be done better , how can we start delivering better …
What Frankenstein ’ s monster can teach researchers about the dark side of ‘ impact ’
What can a 19th - century novelist tell academics about research ethics ? Taking time to see the impact of research on ourselves is a good place to start measuring the social …
Setting up an in - house mediation service at your university
Want to prevent conflict escalation ? Make mediation a “ first resort ” option
How living with blepharospasm helped me become a better teacher
Read about a strategy that helped an educator living with an eye condition build emotional resilience and create a more inclusive classroom environment
The small steps that can make a big difference to student parents
Juggling academic and parental commitments is no easy feat . Here ’ s how universities can make small , programme - level adjustments to relieve the pressure on …
Yes , empathy can be taught – here ’ s how
Find out how evidence - based methods can be used to provide empathy training , bringing huge potential benefits for healthcare outcomes and busting the …
How to support neurodivergent postgraduate researchers
How can universities ensure PhD students of all neurotypes can thrive ? Here ’ s how to provide neurodiversity - affirmative supervision
Can non - assessed creative play help students develop confidence and critical thinking ?
Supporting and enhancing students ’ drawing skills improves not only their visual communication but also their mental health and well - being . Chris Wright and Zo ë Allman …
Why academics are losing sleep
Struggling to balance academic life with healthy sleep habits ? Whether it ’ s a well - placed nap or giving grant writing a rest , this science - backed guide will help …
How can universities encourage active ageing ?
As life expectancies rise , universities must prepare to welcome more older students . Here are some ways to ensure institutions are inclusive spaces for these learners
Four ways to enhance the postgraduate student experience
Postgraduate students are our future colleagues – let ’ s put ourselves in their shoes . Here are four ways to help your PhD students thrive in higher education
Let ’ s embrace compassionate pedagogy for a more humane academy
How can we bridge the compassion gaps in the day - to - day experiences of students and staff in higher education ? Kathryn Waddington and Bryan Bonaparte offer their …
How higher education can lead the way in refugee resettlement
Higher education has an important role to play in the global refugee crisis . Here ’ s how a national initiative resettled refugees and helped them continue their …
We need to get to know our international students better
To create inclusive classrooms for international students , we must address bias and challenge assumptions . Here ’ s how
Principles of Indigenous leadership and self - care in the academy
Indigenous leadership requires resilience , humility and self - awareness . These 10 principles offer a guide to cultivating wellness and fostering a supportive …
Struggle , strength and growth : a holistic approach to embracing change
In preparing for their careers , students need skills to manage the demands that a changing world will place on their internal and external lives . These five stages aim to …
Colouring in : a big - impact , low - budget support for student well - being
The simple activity of colouring in could be an easy , budget - friendly way for university educators and professionals to help students reduce stress and improve …
Make money management matter : five rules for cost - of - living communications
A finalist for THE ’ s Outstanding Marketing / Communications Team of the Year award shares strategies for leveraging data and insights to help students better manage their finances
Psychological safety can be a positive , powerful influence on learning environments
In order for students to feel confident speaking up in class and flexing their creative muscles , educators must create a sense of psychological safety . Here …
Making educational content open access can save lives
By making training resources for surgical professions available on an open access platform , RCSI and its partners are helping to address a huge number of preventable …
Setting boundaries for teachers ’ well - being
Practising self - care and saying no can help university educators manage the increasing demands of teaching and find a sustainable work - life balance
Black students are succeeding in spite of academia , rather than because of it – we need a …
The narrative that widening participation is enough is creating isolation and disillusionment among Black PhD students . How can universities move beyond it …
Universities owe it to society to produce good citizens
Higher education ’ s role in creating the citizens of tomorrow ’ s world should not be underestimated . Here ’ s how to shape the leaders of the future and foster a …
