How to set up an effective psychological support service for students

Faced with the psychological difficulties experienced by many students, various support services are available. Psychologists are available within university health services for free and confidential consultations. The national Student Mental Health platform also provides access to fully funded sessions with a psychologist. Other organizations, such as University Psychological Support Offices (BAPU) and associations, also offer support tailored to the issues faced by young adults. Finally, for those who simply need someone to talk to, anonymous helplines are available 24/7.

Assess the needs and define the objectives of the service

Conduct a survey among students

Effectively assessing students' needs for psychological support presents several challenges. Students, often reluctant to discuss their difficulties, may not answer questionnaires truthfully.

Organizing focus groups in small groups and in a relaxed setting will encourage open expression. A qualified facilitator will create a climate of trust conducive to sharing experiences. Offering these discussions outside the strictly academic context, in a neutral and friendly space, will remove certain barriers.

An approach combining anonymous questionnaires and qualitative interviews seems judicious. The quantitative data from the surveys will be usefully enriched by the students' perspectives gathered during focus groups. This mixed methodology will allow for a nuanced understanding of their expectations and needs, adapting to the specific characteristics of this audience.

Analyze existing data on student mental health

Existing statistics and reports on student mental health are a valuable source of information for understanding the issues in this area. Analyzing them reveals the major trends and problems faced by students.

However, it is important to bear in mind the limitations of this data. It may be subject to biases related to survey methods or sample representativeness. A critical approach is therefore necessary to draw relevant and reliable conclusions.

By cross-referencing and contextualizing these different sources, it is nevertheless possible to gain an overview of the challenges to be met in the area of ​​student mental health. This makes it possible to identify the priority areas on which to focus prevention and support efforts.

Define measurable objectives

To assess the effectiveness of a support service, it is essential to set quantifiable objectives. Without numerical indicators, it will be difficult to measure progress and the real impact of the program.

Some examples of measurable objectives to achieve include: individually monitoring at least 5% of students each year, guaranteeing an initial appointment within a maximum of 15 days, and offering awareness campaigns reaching 30% of students. Setting an average support duration of 3 months also allows for an assessment of the service's responsiveness.

Implement prevention and awareness-raising actions

Train the staff of the establishment

Detecting signs of distress in students is not always easy. It is essential to train all staff to recognize warning signs such as a change in behavior, a drop in performance, or sudden isolation.

Organize awareness events

Prevention also involves organizing awareness events within institutions. These events provide an opportunity to invite professionals (psychologists, psychiatrists, doctors) as well as specialized associations who can present their work and share their expertise.

Developing communication tools

To raise awareness of the psychological support service among students, several communication tools need to be developed:

• Posters to be displayed in places frequented by students: reception halls, libraries, university restaurants, residences...
• Flyers to distribute at student life events: welcome days for new students, association forums...
• A dedicated section on the institution's website, easily accessible from the homepage, will present the service, how to access it, and student testimonials.
• Regular posts on the university or school's social media to maintain visibility over time.
• Informational emails sent to all students at the beginning of the year and at key times (exams, internships, etc.).

Securing funding and ensuring the sustainability of the service

Prepare a budget forecast

To implement an effective psychological support service for students, a realistic budget is essential. Several expense categories need to be anticipated:

Human resources will certainly be the main expense. It will be necessary to budget for the salaries of psychologists, but also potentially for an administrative assistant and external speakers for workshops or conferences.

Setting up dedicated premises will also generate costs: renting or renovating a confidential and welcoming space, purchasing furniture and computer equipment.

A public subsidy, supplemented by partnerships with mutuals or foundations, would make it possible to ensure these expenses in the long term.

A symbolic participation from students is also conceivable.

Regularly evaluate the effectiveness of the device

Relevant indicators must be defined from the design stage of the system, such as the number of students monitored, the time taken to obtain a first appointment, or the proportion of students reporting an improvement in their well-being.

However, evaluating the effectiveness of such a service is not easy. The benefits of psychological support are measured over the long term, and many external factors influence students' well-being. Furthermore, the confidentiality of the sessions limits access to certain data.

Despite these challenges, regular monitoring of the program is essential. It allows for the identification of strengths and areas for improvement. By analyzing feedback from students and professionals involved, it will be possible to adjust the service's operation: strengthening certain types of activities, developing partnerships, communicating differently, etc. Evaluation is key to evolving the program and maintaining its relevance to the needs on the ground.

Establishing an effective psychological support service for students requires a comprehensive approach combining prevention, awareness, and support. Conducting a precise needs assessment through student surveys and analysis of existing data will allow for the definition of measurable objectives. Training all staff to recognize signs of distress and developing appropriate communication tools will facilitate better guidance for students experiencing difficulties. Finally, to ensure the sustainability of the service, it is essential to establish a realistic budget forecast and regularly evaluate its effectiveness. Like the Emundus solution, which simplifies the admissions process, a high-performing psychological support service must be designed with a logic of continuous improvement to constantly adapt to students' needs.