University students' access to mental health services: A qualitative study of the experiences of health service professionals through the lens of candidacy in England.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

In order to develop a better understanding of students' access to mental health services, we explored the experiences of health care professionals interacting with university students with mental health problems.

Methods

We interviewed 23 professionals working across university advice and counselling services, NHS general practice, crisis, and psychological services in North and East London between June 2022 and January 2023. Our approach drew on reflexive thematic analysis and the principles of abductive analysis. The notion of candidacy - that is, how different needs are deemed deserving of health service attention - was particularly helpful to our understanding of the ongoing phenomenon of interest in the data.

Results

Each student's access to mental hea

SUBMITTER: Osborn TG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11346130 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature