Unheard Struggles: Addressing Mental Health Challenges in Academia
Abstract
Mental health challenges in academic environments have become a silent crisis, significantly affecting students' well-being and academic performance. This paper explores key factors contributing to mental health issues among students, including academic pressure, financial stress, and physical health problems. Drawing from a range of studies, it highlights the profound impact of mental health on academic outcomes, particularly through its influence on academic motivation. The discussion also considers coping strategies, with an emphasis on the importance of social support, optimistic perspectives, and religious or spiritual frameworks in managing stress. Additionally, adaptive coping mechanisms, such as positive thinking and healthy lifestyle interventions, are shown to promote better mental health outcomes compared to avoidance-based behaviors. The findings underscore the need for institutions to foster supportive environments that address these mental health challenges, ultimately enhancing students' psychological well-being and academic success.
References
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Aris, A. Z. Z., & Othman, S. Z. (2022). Mental health issues and help-seeking behaviour among Malaysian academics: A preliminary study. Jurnal Pembangunan Sosial (JPS), 25, 101-119.
Azizan, C.R., Razali, A., & Pillai, R. (2013). Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, 2 (2), 73-82. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.pbs.20130202.18.U
Babicka-Wirkus, A., Wirkus, L., Stasiak, K., & Kozłowski, P. (2021). University Students’ strategies of coping with stress during the coronavirus pandemic: Data from Poland. PloS One, 16(7), e0255041. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0255041.
Budimir, S., Probst, T., & Pieh, C. (2021). Coping strategies and mental health during COVID-19 lockdown. Journal of Mental Health, 30(2), 156-163.
Camilleri, C., Fogle, C. S., O’Brien, K. G., & Sammut, S. (2022). The Impact of COVID-19 and Associated Interventions on Mental Health: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Sample of University Students. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.801859.
Cheng, C., Wang, H. Y., & Ebrahimi, O. V. (2021). Adjustment to a “new normal:” Coping flexibility and mental health issues during the COVID-19 pandemic. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12, 626197.
Congsheng, L., Kayani, S., & Khalid, A. (2022). An empirical study of physical activity and sports affecting the mental health of university students. Frontiers in psychology, 13, 917503.
Connolly, S. L., Kuhn, E., Possemato, K., & Torous, J. (2021). Digital clinics and mobile technology implementation for mental health care. Current psychiatry reports, 23 (7), 38.
Gallegos, M. I., Zaring‐Hinkle, B., & Bray, J. H. (2021). COVID‐19 pandemic stresses and relationships in college students. Family Relations, 71 (1), 29–45. https://doi.org/10.1111/fare.12602
Gibbons, C. (2022). Understanding the role of stress, personality and coping on learning motivation and mental health in university students during a pandemic. BMC Psychology, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-022-00971-w.
Guszkowska, M., & Dąbrowska-Zimakowska, A. (2022). Coping with Stress During the Second Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic by Polish University Students: Strategies, Structure, and Relation to Psychological Well-Being. Psychology Research and Behavior Management, Volume 15, 339–352. https://doi.org/10.2147/prbm.s345648.
Harvey, P.D., Depp, C.A., Rizzo, A.A., Strauss, G.P., Spelber, D., Carpenter, L.L., Kalin, N.H., Krystal, J.H., McDonald, W.W., Nemeroff, C.B., Rodriguez, C.I., Widge, A.S., & Torous, J.B. (2022). Technology and Mental Health: State of the Art for Assessment and Treatment. The American journal of psychiatry, appiajp21121254.
Hassan, N.A., Abdul Majeed, H., Mohd Tajuddin, J., Abdullah, N.H., & Ahmad, R. (2022). Investigating mental health among Malaysian university students during Covid-19 pandemic. Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 7(1), 251-260. https://doi.org/10.47405/mjssh.v7i1.1224.
Hassan, N.M. & Kassim, E.& Maon, S. (2019). Financial Influences and Mental Health: An Exploratory Study. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences. 9. 10.6007/IJARBSS/v9-i7/6132.
Hu, Y., Ye, B., & Im, H. (2021). Hope and post-stress growth during COVID-19 pandemic: The mediating role of perceived stress and the moderating role of empathy. Personality and Individual Differences, 178, 110831. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2021.110831
Ibrahim, N., Amit, N., & Shahar, S. (2019). The relationship between dietary habits and mental health among Malaysian university students. Journal of Nutrition & Intermediary Metabolism, 14, 23-30.
Ibrahim, N. M. a. M., & Khasanah, A. N. (2024). The Influence of Religious Coping On Academic Stress in Students of The Faculty of Medicine, Bandung Islamic University. Bandung Conference Series. Psychology Science, 4(1), 407–415. https://doi.org/10.29313/bcsps.v4i1.10070.
Idris, R. Faisal-E-Alam, M., Castanho, RA, & Loures, L. (2024). Bridging the gender gap in STEM fields: Empowering women for economic and social development in Malaysia. WSEAS Transactions On Business And Economics, 21, 617-629.
Idris, R., & Bacotang, J. (2023). Exploring STEM Education Trends in Malaysia: Building a Talent Pool for Industrial Revolution 4.0 and Society 5.0. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 12(2), 381–393.
Khaira F. & Sari L. Perceived severity of COVID-19, social support, and pandemic-related stress associated with lifestyle changes among undergraduate students in Indonesia. Journal of Public Health Research. 2022;11(2). doi:10.1177/22799036221103382
Kumaran, V.V., Ismail, M.K., Thinagar, S., Munawwarah, S.N., & Roslan (2022). Mental health disorder among Malaysian university students during COVID-19 Pandemic. Asian Journal of University Education, 18(3), 735-744.
Latiff, L.A., Aszahari, M.A., Khalek, N.F., Fang, K., & Ibrahim, N. (2014). Prevalence Of mental health problems and the associated factors among undergraduate students in a public university, Malaysia. International Journal of Public Health and Clinical Sciences, 1, 59-69.
Manap, R., Hamid, S. A., & Ghani, M. A. (2019). Depression, anxiety and stress among undergraduate students. E-Bangi Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 16(2), 1-7.
Maung Maung, T., Win, P.T., & Oo, W.M. (2023). Mental Health of University Students in Northern Malaysia. National Journal of Community Medicine, 14(3), 155-160. https://doi.org/10.55489/njcm.140320232674.
Minhat, H.S., & Alawad, T.A. (2019). Risks of mental problems among medical students in a public university in Malaysia. Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Science, 15(3), 65-69.
Muniandy, N. D., Azhar, S. N. S., & Dewi, A. D. A. (2022). Dietary Behaviour and Mental Health Status among Students of Higher Education Institutes in Malaysia. Environment-Behaviour Proceedings Journal, 7(20), 455-464.
Ng, S. T., Mohd Nasir, M. T., & Muhammad, N. A. (2020). Physical health and its association with stress and anxiety among university students in Malaysia. Journal of Health Psychology, 25(9), 1250-1258.
Nordin, N.A., Talib, M.A., & Yaacob, S.N. (2009). Personality, loneliness and mental health among undergraduates at Malaysian Universities. European Journal of Scientific Research, 36, 285-298.
Omar, M., Bahaman, A. H., Lubis, F. A., Ahmad, S. A. S., Ibrahim, F., Aziz, S. N. A., & Ismail, F. D. (2020). Perceived academic stress among students in Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. In International Conference on Student and Disable Student Development 2019 (ICoSD 2019) (pp. 115-124). Atlantis Press.
Othman, M. N. A., & Rashid, M. A. A. (2018). Stress and Mental Health of Undergraduate Students at a Private Higher Learning Institution in Malaysia. Journal of Social Sciences, 4 (2), 453-465.
Rashid, Y. K. A., Idris, R., Shukri, N. Z. M., Rabu, M., Ahmad Adha Mohd@Muhamad2, S. H. M. N., Sapuan, N. A., Ali, F. D. A., Kamal, N. A., & Sulaiman, M. A. (2024). Embracing Innovation: Teacher Insights and Preparedness for I-THINK Thinking Maps in 21st Century Education. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 13(3), 5182–5196.
Rashid, M. A. A., Othman, M. N. A., & Ibrahim, A. R. (2018). The State of Students’ Mental Health: A Case Study. Journal of Business and Social Review in Emerging Economies, 4(2), 189-196.
Rusli, R., Zakaria, S. F., Ramli, N. F. M., Mahmud, M. M., & Manap, M. R. (2023). Unraveling the Underlying Factors of Depression Among Malaysian Undergraduates. Asian Journal of Research in Education and Social Sciences, 5(3), 123-130.
Singh, S. P., Javed, A., Thara, R., Chadda, R., Iyer, S., & Stefanis, N. (2023). The WPA Expert International Advisory Panel for Early Intervention in Psychosis in Low‐and Middle‐Income Countries: An update on recent relevant activities. World Psychiatry, 22(3), 489.
Suhaimi, P. F. M., Abdullah, A., Zubairi, A. A., Ali, F. D. A., & Idris, R. (2024). Unveiling the Nexus: Organizational Climate and Psychological Well-Being of Secondary School Teachers in Kuala Selangor. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 13(3), 2350–2363.
Suprayogi, M., & Aljufri, R. (2020). Does the Religious Coping has an Effect on Perceived Stress? https://doi.org/10.4108/eai.18-9-2019.2293453.
Tan, J. Y., Chan, A. H., & Cheah, W. L. (2018). Sleep deprivation and its impact on mental health among Malaysian students. Journal of Sleep Research, 27(6), e12645.
Tan, L. S., Audrey, L. C. L., & Cheah, Y. Y. (2021). The Moderating Effect of Mental Health in Familiarity Bias and Self-Attribution of Financial Planning Behaviour among Malaysians. Studies of Applied Economics, 39(4).
Yun, K., Kim, S. H., & Awasu, C. R. (2019). Stress and impact of spirituality as a mediator of coping methods among social work college students. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 29(1), 125–136. https://doi.org/10.1080/10911359.2018.1491918
Altaf Dar, M., Maqbool, M., Ara, I., & Zehravi, M. (2023). The intersection of technology and mental health: enhancing access and care. International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health, 423-428.
Arifin, S., Abdullah, S.S., Omar, N.E., Mohamed, N., Yusop, Y.M., & Hamdul Hadi, N.M. (2023). The Prevalence of Mental Health among Malaysian University Students. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Science.
Aris, A. Z. Z., & Othman, S. Z. (2022). Mental health issues and help-seeking behaviour among Malaysian academics: A preliminary study. Jurnal Pembangunan Sosial (JPS), 25, 101-119.
Azizan, C.R., Razali, A., & Pillai, R. (2013). Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, 2 (2), 73-82. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.pbs.20130202.18.U
Babicka-Wirkus, A., Wirkus, L., Stasiak, K., & Kozłowski, P. (2021). University Students’ strategies of coping with stress during the coronavirus pandemic: Data from Poland. PloS One, 16(7), e0255041. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0255041.
Budimir, S., Probst, T., & Pieh, C. (2021). Coping strategies and mental health during COVID-19 lockdown. Journal of Mental Health, 30(2), 156-163.
Camilleri, C., Fogle, C. S., O’Brien, K. G., & Sammut, S. (2022). The Impact of COVID-19 and Associated Interventions on Mental Health: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Sample of University Students. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.801859.
Cheng, C., Wang, H. Y., & Ebrahimi, O. V. (2021). Adjustment to a “new normal:” Coping flexibility and mental health issues during the COVID-19 pandemic. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12, 626197.
Congsheng, L., Kayani, S., & Khalid, A. (2022). An empirical study of physical activity and sports affecting the mental health of university students. Frontiers in psychology, 13, 917503.
Connolly, S. L., Kuhn, E., Possemato, K., & Torous, J. (2021). Digital clinics and mobile technology implementation for mental health care. Current psychiatry reports, 23 (7), 38.
Gallegos, M. I., Zaring‐Hinkle, B., & Bray, J. H. (2021). COVID‐19 pandemic stresses and relationships in college students. Family Relations, 71 (1), 29–45. https://doi.org/10.1111/fare.12602
Gibbons, C. (2022). Understanding the role of stress, personality and coping on learning motivation and mental health in university students during a pandemic. BMC Psychology, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-022-00971-w.
Guszkowska, M., & Dąbrowska-Zimakowska, A. (2022). Coping with Stress During the Second Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic by Polish University Students: Strategies, Structure, and Relation to Psychological Well-Being. Psychology Research and Behavior Management, Volume 15, 339–352. https://doi.org/10.2147/prbm.s345648.
Harvey, P.D., Depp, C.A., Rizzo, A.A., Strauss, G.P., Spelber, D., Carpenter, L.L., Kalin, N.H., Krystal, J.H., McDonald, W.W., Nemeroff, C.B., Rodriguez, C.I., Widge, A.S., & Torous, J.B. (2022). Technology and Mental Health: State of the Art for Assessment and Treatment. The American journal of psychiatry, appiajp21121254.
Hassan, N.A., Abdul Majeed, H., Mohd Tajuddin, J., Abdullah, N.H., & Ahmad, R. (2022). Investigating mental health among Malaysian university students during Covid-19 pandemic. Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 7(1), 251-260. https://doi.org/10.47405/mjssh.v7i1.1224.
Hassan, N.M. & Kassim, E.& Maon, S. (2019). Financial Influences and Mental Health: An Exploratory Study. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences. 9. 10.6007/IJARBSS/v9-i7/6132.
Hu, Y., Ye, B., & Im, H. (2021). Hope and post-stress growth during COVID-19 pandemic: The mediating role of perceived stress and the moderating role of empathy. Personality and Individual Differences, 178, 110831. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2021.110831
Ibrahim, N., Amit, N., & Shahar, S. (2019). The relationship between dietary habits and mental health among Malaysian university students. Journal of Nutrition & Intermediary Metabolism, 14, 23-30.
Ibrahim, N. M. a. M., & Khasanah, A. N. (2024). The Influence of Religious Coping On Academic Stress in Students of The Faculty of Medicine, Bandung Islamic University. Bandung Conference Series. Psychology Science, 4(1), 407–415. https://doi.org/10.29313/bcsps.v4i1.10070.
Idris, R. Faisal-E-Alam, M., Castanho, RA, & Loures, L. (2024). Bridging the gender gap in STEM fields: Empowering women for economic and social development in Malaysia. WSEAS Transactions On Business And Economics, 21, 617-629.
Idris, R., & Bacotang, J. (2023). Exploring STEM Education Trends in Malaysia: Building a Talent Pool for Industrial Revolution 4.0 and Society 5.0. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 12(2), 381–393.
Khaira F. & Sari L. Perceived severity of COVID-19, social support, and pandemic-related stress associated with lifestyle changes among undergraduate students in Indonesia. Journal of Public Health Research. 2022;11(2). doi:10.1177/22799036221103382
Kumaran, V.V., Ismail, M.K., Thinagar, S., Munawwarah, S.N., & Roslan (2022). Mental health disorder among Malaysian university students during COVID-19 Pandemic. Asian Journal of University Education, 18(3), 735-744.
Latiff, L.A., Aszahari, M.A., Khalek, N.F., Fang, K., & Ibrahim, N. (2014). Prevalence Of mental health problems and the associated factors among undergraduate students in a public university, Malaysia. International Journal of Public Health and Clinical Sciences, 1, 59-69.
Manap, R., Hamid, S. A., & Ghani, M. A. (2019). Depression, anxiety and stress among undergraduate students. E-Bangi Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 16(2), 1-7.
Maung Maung, T., Win, P.T., & Oo, W.M. (2023). Mental Health of University Students in Northern Malaysia. National Journal of Community Medicine, 14(3), 155-160. https://doi.org/10.55489/njcm.140320232674.
Minhat, H.S., & Alawad, T.A. (2019). Risks of mental problems among medical students in a public university in Malaysia. Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Science, 15(3), 65-69.
Muniandy, N. D., Azhar, S. N. S., & Dewi, A. D. A. (2022). Dietary Behaviour and Mental Health Status among Students of Higher Education Institutes in Malaysia. Environment-Behaviour Proceedings Journal, 7(20), 455-464.
Ng, S. T., Mohd Nasir, M. T., & Muhammad, N. A. (2020). Physical health and its association with stress and anxiety among university students in Malaysia. Journal of Health Psychology, 25(9), 1250-1258.
Nordin, N.A., Talib, M.A., & Yaacob, S.N. (2009). Personality, loneliness and mental health among undergraduates at Malaysian Universities. European Journal of Scientific Research, 36, 285-298.
Omar, M., Bahaman, A. H., Lubis, F. A., Ahmad, S. A. S., Ibrahim, F., Aziz, S. N. A., & Ismail, F. D. (2020). Perceived academic stress among students in Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. In International Conference on Student and Disable Student Development 2019 (ICoSD 2019) (pp. 115-124). Atlantis Press.
Othman, M. N. A., & Rashid, M. A. A. (2018). Stress and Mental Health of Undergraduate Students at a Private Higher Learning Institution in Malaysia. Journal of Social Sciences, 4 (2), 453-465.
Rashid, Y. K. A., Idris, R., Shukri, N. Z. M., Rabu, M., Ahmad Adha Mohd@Muhamad2, S. H. M. N., Sapuan, N. A., Ali, F. D. A., Kamal, N. A., & Sulaiman, M. A. (2024). Embracing Innovation: Teacher Insights and Preparedness for I-THINK Thinking Maps in 21st Century Education. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 13(3), 5182–5196.
Rashid, M. A. A., Othman, M. N. A., & Ibrahim, A. R. (2018). The State of Students’ Mental Health: A Case Study. Journal of Business and Social Review in Emerging Economies, 4(2), 189-196.
Rusli, R., Zakaria, S. F., Ramli, N. F. M., Mahmud, M. M., & Manap, M. R. (2023). Unraveling the Underlying Factors of Depression Among Malaysian Undergraduates. Asian Journal of Research in Education and Social Sciences, 5(3), 123-130.
Singh, S. P., Javed, A., Thara, R., Chadda, R., Iyer, S., & Stefanis, N. (2023). The WPA Expert International Advisory Panel for Early Intervention in Psychosis in Low‐and Middle‐Income Countries: An update on recent relevant activities. World Psychiatry, 22(3), 489.
Suhaimi, P. F. M., Abdullah, A., Zubairi, A. A., Ali, F. D. A., & Idris, R. (2024). Unveiling the Nexus: Organizational Climate and Psychological Well-Being of Secondary School Teachers in Kuala Selangor. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 13(3), 2350–2363.
Suprayogi, M., & Aljufri, R. (2020). Does the Religious Coping has an Effect on Perceived Stress? https://doi.org/10.4108/eai.18-9-2019.2293453.
Tan, J. Y., Chan, A. H., & Cheah, W. L. (2018). Sleep deprivation and its impact on mental health among Malaysian students. Journal of Sleep Research, 27(6), e12645.
Tan, L. S., Audrey, L. C. L., & Cheah, Y. Y. (2021). The Moderating Effect of Mental Health in Familiarity Bias and Self-Attribution of Financial Planning Behaviour among Malaysians. Studies of Applied Economics, 39(4).
Yun, K., Kim, S. H., & Awasu, C. R. (2019). Stress and impact of spirituality as a mediator of coping methods among social work college students. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 29(1), 125–136. https://doi.org/10.1080/10911359.2018.1491918
Published
2024-11-01
How to Cite
AWANG ALI, Fariha Diyana et al.
Unheard Struggles: Addressing Mental Health Challenges in Academia.
International Journal of Advanced Research in Education and Society, [S.l.], v. 6, n. 3, p. 780-789, nov. 2024.
ISSN 2682-8138.
Available at: <https://myjms.mohe.gov.my/index.php/ijares/article/view/28081>. Date accessed: 05 dec. 2024.
Section
English Section
