The Monash University Churchill Fellowship to explore innovative prevention and early intervention strategies to improve the mental health of university students

The seven key findings were:



1. There must be a ‘tone at the top’ that genuinely commits a university to improving its students’ mental health and wellbeing;
2. Mental health task forces with student representation should be used to develop mental health policies and strategies relevant to each institution;
3. Australia needs a sectoral leader like The Jed Foundation, in particular one with a strong research capability;
4. On-campus treatment services should be supplemented by preventative health strategies and supported by active partnership with local government and private health services;
5. Screening programmes are worthwhile when matched with service, and outreach services should be used to target those students who do not or cannot engage via traditional means;
6. Regard should be paid to the specific needs of minority groups such as LGBTI and international students; and
7. Universities should offer and evaluate mindfulness meditation, which can be taught in groups and with easily-scalable apps.