Support systems and welfare measures to encourage physical and mental wellbeing.

Tait, Jo-Anne; Rodríguez-Jiménez, Rosa María; Wilson, Sarah A.; Jensen, Karin

Abstract

The focus on engineering students' health and wellbeing has increased due to a global rise in mental health issues and the increased need for more engineers. The engineering industry grapples with recruitment and retention challenges, partly attributable to a high-stress work environment. Further, entering university can be a significant period of change and overlaps with the age when adolescents undergo profound cognitive, emotional, physical, behavioral, and social development. While University students are often considered privileged in many ways, the transition to higher education can result in health and wellbeing challenges. Universities worldwide offer social and psychological support and health promotion services to address these issues but there is need for improvement to meet the increasing demand for mental healthcare services. Studies have shown that engineering students are less likely to seek professional mental healthcare when compared to students from other subjects. Studies also reveal a high prevalence of mental disorders in university students, even among those without diagnosed mental illnesses. These issues are frequently accompanied by physical symptoms, underscoring the importance of physical activity for wellbeing. This chapter highlights the work being carried out internationally in this area, explores relevant case studies and provides recommendations for engineering education leaders to consider in their own institutions. Strategies for enhancing wellbeing include exercise, mindfulness techniques, creative movement, time management, professional skills, and person-centered approaches.

Citation

TAIT, J.-A., RODRÍGUEZ-JIMÉNEZ, R.-M., WILSON, S.A. and JENSEN, K. 2025. Support systems and welfare measures to encourage physical and mental wellbeing. In Kandakatla, R., Kulkarni, S. and Auer, M.E. (eds.) Academic leadership in engineering education: learnings and case studies from educational leaders around the globe. Lecture notes in networks and systems (LNNS), 1097. Cham: Springer [online], pages 353-371. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-68282-7_19

• Online Publication Date: Nov 13, 2024
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2025
• Deposit Date: Dec 19, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 14, 2025
• Publisher: Springer
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Pages: 353-371
• Series Title: Lecture notes in networks and systems (LNNS)
• Series Number: 1097
• Series ISSN: 2367-3370; 2367-3389
• Book Title: Academic leadership in engineering education: learnings and case studies from educational leaders around the globe
• Chapter Number: Chapter 19
• ISBN: 9783031682810
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-68282-7_19
• Keywords: Engineering; Health; Wellbeing; Higher education; Mental health
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/2625939