Impact of Viral Epidemic Outbreaks on the Mental Health of Students: A Rapid Research Paper

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has dramatically changed students' day-to-day lives. Teaching is moving online, there are significant changes to assessment, and many students are no longer living in their term-time housing. While the physical health and safety of students is critical at this time, looking after their mental health is also necessary for helping students to succeed and benefit from their higher education. Recently, we noted that all students are likely to require increased support and resources to support their psychological needs during this period, and made clear our expectation that universities and colleges should take reasonable steps for such support for all students [www. officeforstudents. org. uk/publications/guidance-for-providers-about-quality-and-standardsduring-coronavirus-pandemic]. Staffs in many universities and colleges have responded quickly to the need to deliver mental health support in different ways, and student unions are showing resourcefulness and resilience in helping their peers. This rapid review looks at some of these ideas and practices, and it does not defend particular approaches of specific institutions. Its purpose is to highlight the practical steps universities and colleges are taking to support their students? mental health in challenging circumstances. And to do that, it considers how they are supporting the mental health of the general population, students with a declared mental health condition, and others who may be particularly vulnerable during this time.