1. Instruction

Study the prepared materials containing a proposal for strategies for ensuring well-being in educational institutions and a framework for improving student well-being at universities. An integral part of the materials will be content that will help you define a proposal for strategic areas, goals, activities, and determine indicators.

The estimated time for studying the book is two hours.

2. Introduction

The development of guidelines for the mental health and well-being of employees and students of higher education institutions is exceptionally important since it directly affects academic success, personal development, and the overall experience of students and employees.

In today's dynamic environment, facing academic pressures, social challenges, and personal problems can significantly affect mental health; therefore, a proactive and systematic approach is crucial for creating a supportive and inclusive environment within the higher education institution.

In the introductory part of this book, you can also view the document titled STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH UNTIL 2030, prepared by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Croatia and adopted in November 2022. It defines measures at the national level for the preservation and improvement of mental health in preschools, schools, and the academic community.

3. Framework for creating Guidelines for ensuring the well-being of employees and students of higher education institutions

For the preparation of Mental Health and Well-being Guidelines at a higher education institution, it is recommended to rely on The Stepchange: Mentally Healthy Universities Framework. This comprehensive framework was developed in the United Kingdom and is designed to serve as a template for developing guidelines aimed at ensuring the well-being of employees and students. The framework is adaptable to different contexts and needs and is aligned with best practices.

Using this framework can ensure a systematic and effective approach to implementing mental health support measures within your institution.

It contains four core domains: Learn, Support, Work, and Live. It emphasises the integration of well-being into the academic experience, the availability of support, the importance of employee well-being, and creating a healthy environment.

See more information about the four core domains: Learn, Support, Work, and Live.

The following document is available in Croatian only. Participants may use free AI-powered translation tools to access the provided materials.

More about work-based learning models can be found in the manual for designing and implementing work-based learning models in higher education, "Work-Based Learning Models," which was created as a result of the Study4Career project.

4. Conclusion

Achieving the vision of mentally healthy and well-being-dedicated higher education institutions requires that higher education institutions adopt mental health and well-being as a strategic priority and develop guidelines for the well-being of employees and students.

This framework emphasises the key importance of developing concrete guidelines tailored to each higher education institution. These guidelines should clearly define areas, goals, activities, and indicators of progress in promoting the mental health and well-being of employees and students. Through a systematic and planned approach, a supportive environment can be created that ensures the well-being of the entire academic community.

5. Operationalisation of goals

Operationalisation breaks down goals into specific activities that need to be undertaken to achieve that goal, while indicators provide concrete, measurable signs of success. Once activities are defined, it is easier to determine responsibilities for their implementation (who is in charge of which activity and within what timeframe). Without clear activities and responsibilities, strategic goals can remain at the level of plans without actual implementation.

Table 3. Template for the operationalisation of goals

Activity Plan

6. Example of guidelines according to The Open University

One of the excellent examples of guidelines was developed by The Open University under the title Student and Staff Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2020–2023: Promoting a Whole Institution Approach.

Strategic Planning

Characteristics of strategic planning:

• systematically focused on goal realisation and the productivity of actions;
• includes choosing priorities, which involves making decisions about strategic goals and resources;
• responds to the circumstances of a dynamic, turbulent environment;
• means building the commitment of all stakeholders in the same process. 
  
  

Determining strategic areas is a key step in the strategic planning process. Strategic areas represent thematic units or focuses on which areas the organisation will concentrate to achieve its vision and mission. Once strategic areas are defined, they serve as a framework for setting concrete strategic goals. Goals should be aligned with strategic areas and contribute to their achievement.

Given the theme of guidelines for ensuring the well-being of employees and students of higher education institutions, mental health and psychological support would be an excellent example of a strategic area. Mental health is a fundamental aspect of an individual's overall well-being. Ensuring support in this area directly contributes to a happier, healthier, and more productive academic environment.

Strategic Goals

Strategic goals are desired states or outcomes and represent what the organisation wants and plans to achieve in a certain period. They are focused on results and are followed by activities. Strategic goals are defined based on identified strategic issues and represent the central element of the strategic planning process.

Figure 10. SMART Goals Diagram

Strategic goals should be determined according to the SMART principle, which means they should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

Given a specific strategic area, an example of a goal could be: Establish a full-time university/faculty counselling centre by the beginning of the academic year 2026/2027.

Examples of goals defined in the aforementioned guideline document "Student and Staff Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2020 – 2023: Promoting a Whole Institution Approach" by The Open University, focused on promoting mental health and well-being within the university community, are:

• implement a whole-institution approach to mental health and well-being across the entire institution, integrating support for students and staff;
• empower students and staff with the skills, tools, and sense of belonging that foster positive mental health behaviors and an inclusive culture;
• act proactively in supporting students and staff who are at risk of poor mental health, actively reducing the stigma associated with these challenges;
• provide a diverse and effective range of support services that meet the specific needs of students throughout their entire studies;
• support students in successfully navigating key transitions in their studies to achieve success and maximise potential, while maintaining good mental health and well-being;
• ensure proactive identification and addressing of the needs of all categories of staff regarding mental health and well-being;
• use data, learning analytics, and research for the systematic evaluation of the effectiveness and impact of interventions and support for mental health and well-being;
• establish strong collaboration within the university and influential external partnerships to inform and provide effective support for the mental health and well-being of students and staff.

The document also defines activities and sets indicators.

7. Literature

Baik, C., Larcombe, W. & Brooker, A. (2016). A framework for promoting student mental wellbeing in universities. Melbourne Centre for the Study of Higher Education (MCSHE), The University of Melbourne.

Student Support and Career Development Center (CPSRK). Faculty of Organization and Informatics (FOI). (2023). Work-Based Learning Models.

Klačmer Čalopa, M., Tomičić-Pupek, K. & Begičević Ređep, N. (2018). Strategic Plan for the Application of Information and Communication Technologies in Schools. Croatian Academic and Research Network - CARNET.

The Open University. (2020). Student and staff mental health and wellbeing strategy 2020-2023: Promoting an institutional approach.

Universities UK. (2021). StepChange: Mentally healthy universities.

University of York. (2021). Student mental health and wellbeing strategy 2021–2025.