Improving Student Mental Health through Academic Affairs: The Happiness and Wellbeing Approach
Presentation
Overview
Overview
Description
Purpose: In this session we will provide an understanding of the framework used to develop and design a basic studies happiness and wellbeing course. We will present how we approached administration, navigated the curriculum committee, course content, delivery methods, and student perceptions. Finally, how it might fit on your campus. Results: The development and instruction of happiness and wellbeing courses designed for students in all majors, multiple delivery formats, and which its three credits fulfill general education requirements have shown evidence of success for the college student population (Hood et al, 2021; Rodowicz et al., 2020). This coursework facilitating mindsets, strategies, and skills associated with wellbeing demonstrates promise, and has certainly earned a much needed “spot” in any comprehensive mental health and wellness portfolio among academic communities. Implications: Currently there is an urgent need to develop preventative strategies to address the mental health of college students. This presentation is positioned to help individuals in higher education understand an additional mechanism to facilitate subjective wellbeing and build a culture of wellness on their campuses.
