Psychological distress in students

What is it about?

What is known on the subject? • Psychological distress is a major health concern, and university student populations are at a risk due to high academic, economic and interpersonal demands at this time. While a number of studies have been conducted looking at distress and service uptake among university students, there is a lack of comparative information in the student nurse population. Therefore, this study focuses on level of psychological distress and service uptake in student nurses during their training. • Student nurses in training are acknowledged as particularly vulnerable to anxiety and depression • Anxiety and depression can interfere with educational achievement and interfere with working relationships which are an important aspect to clinical practice. What this paper adds to existing knowledge • This study investigates psychological distress and service uptake in student nurses, in a single study, by measuring the level of distress and comparing this with adult non-patient norms. • The key findings suggest high levels of anxiety and depression and poor uptake of support in student nurses. • The main barrier to seeking support was the fear of disclosure about their anxiety and / or depression, and feared impact on their suitability to train as a nurse. What are the implications for practice? • Due to the fear of disclosure and low levels of support seeking, mental health nurses and academics have a key role to play in mental health literacy. • It seems reasonable, given the key findings, to suggest that interventions be directed at decreasing anxiety and depression such as mindfulness training and other evidence-based strategies. • It is recommended that psychological distress needs due attention from Higher Education sector and those health professionals involved in mental health service provision to support evidence-based strategies that target these issues.

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Why is it important?

The significance of anxiety and depression occurring during nurse training has implications for the mental health profession and academics. The current findings demonstrate that anxiety and depression is a significant issue. Interestingly, the present study found that fear of disclosure was linked to reduced help seeking behaviour. It seems reasonable to suggest that mental health literacy and evidence-based interventions be directed at decreasing psychological distress and enhancing help seeking behaviour. Thus, there seems to be a need for greater openness on psychological distress in all health professionals, especially those involved in mental health service provision, to support student nurse training.

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