Assignment Instructions: Report Writing on Student Mental Health Support Services in UAE
Assignment 28
This report accounts for 100% of your module mark. Submit via Turnitin only; submissions via email, pen drive, or hard copy will not be accepted. Include only your Student Reference Number (SRN).
The report of Student Mental Health should be 2,000–2,500 words. Word counts outside this range may affect evaluation of your analytical depth and recommendations.
A total of 100 marks is available, with a minimum pass of 50%. Harvard referencing must be applied consistently. AI may only be used for language review and formatting.
Context Overview
Mental Health in Higher Education
Student mental health has become a critical focus in UAE universities, influenced by factors such as academic pressure, social adjustment, cultural expectations, and the transition to digital learning environments. Effective mental health support services enhance wellbeing, retention, academic performance, and social engagement.
Universities have implemented a range of services: counselling centres, peer-support programmes, online therapy platforms, mindfulness workshops, and crisis response protocols. Yet challenges remain in accessibility, stigma reduction, service awareness, and measuring effectiveness.
This assignment encourages students to critically examine the effectiveness, challenges, and strategic enhancement of mental health support in UAE higher education institutions.
Learning Outcomes
By completing this assignment, students will be able to:
- Assess the role and effectiveness of mental health support services in UAE universities
- Analyse the experiences and perceptions of stakeholders including students, faculty, and administrators
- Evaluate secondary research on service provision, utilisation patterns, and outcomes
- Propose evidence-based strategies to enhance mental health support, access, and impact
- Demonstrate UAE-specific contextual understanding, including cultural, institutional, and policy dimensions
Report Components
Executive Overview
- Summarise the full report in 400–500 words, highlighting key findings, service challenges, and strategic recommendations.
- Focus on evidence-based insights rather than descriptive content.
Landscape of Mental Health Services
Service Types and Accessibility
- Identify the range of services offered in UAE universities (counselling, online platforms, workshops, peer programmes).
- Analyse accessibility, including opening hours, online options, and inclusivity for diverse student populations.
Service Uptake and Utilisation
- Examine factors influencing service uptake, such as stigma, awareness campaigns, cultural attitudes, and trust in university support systems.
- Discuss utilisation trends and compare different universities or program types where possible.
Stakeholder Perspectives
Faculty Engagement and Role
- Analyse how academic staff support student mental health and collaborate with services.
- Consider training in mental health awareness, referral procedures, and classroom support strategies.
Administrative Frameworks and Policy
- Evaluate the role of university leadership and policy in structuring and funding mental health initiatives.
- Reference UAE national education and health policies, including alignment with Vision 2031 goals.
Student Experiences
- Explore how students perceive and interact with support services.
- Discuss barriers, facilitators, and satisfaction levels using UAE-specific examples.
Evidence-Based Evaluation
Analysis of Secondary Research
- Review peer-reviewed journals, government reports, and institutional surveys on mental health services.
- Compare findings on effectiveness, accessibility, and impact on student wellbeing.
Challenges and Gaps
- Critically examine limitations such as service coverage, confidentiality concerns, staffing shortages, and digital literacy barriers.
- Identify gaps between policy intentions and real-world implementation.
Strategic Recommendations
- Propose practical, evidence-based strategies to improve student mental health support:
- Expand digital counselling and tele-mental health services
- Strengthen peer mentoring and student-led wellbeing programmes
- Enhance faculty training and early identification procedures
- Develop data-driven monitoring and evaluation frameworks for continuous improvement
- Expand digital counselling and tele-mental health services
- Justify each recommendation with research evidence and UAE-specific examples.
Forward-Thinking Perspectives
- Consider future innovations such as AI-based mental health monitoring, mobile applications, and predictive analytics.
- Suggest directions for research and policy evolution to meet the changing needs of UAE university students.
Presentation Guidelines
- Use clear headings for logical flow.
- Include tables, figures, and appendices as appropriate.
- Apply Harvard referencing consistently.
- Maintain formal academic style, demonstrating critical thinking and UAE-specific contextual understanding.
- Include diverse sources, including UAE Ministry of Education publications, peer-reviewed journals, and international best practices.
This assignment encourages students to critically explore student mental health services, evaluating stakeholder perspectives, service effectiveness, and strategic enhancements in the context of UAE higher education.