Research

University students face growing demand for accessible mental health support, but questions remain about whether digital services can deliver meaningful outcomes in routine care. Macquarie University evaluated an internet‑delivered cognitive behavioural therapy program offered through the university’s counselling service for students experiencing anxiety and depression. Over five years, the study found significant reductions in both […]

Despite growing investment in university mental health initiatives, evidence on their effectiveness remains limited. Researchers from Deakin University evaluated the impact of the university’s Student Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy by comparing student survey data collected before (2019) and after (2022) its implementation. While overall mental health outcomes showed little improvement, the researchers noted that […]

University student mental health challenges are rising, yet many avoid traditional support due to stigma and accessibility barriers. Edith Cowan University trialled The Living Room, a low‑barrier, peer‑led service offering informal, appointment‑free support. Surveying 110 students during early rollout, the study found most sought help for mental health concerns (77%), academic stress (65%) and interpersonal […]

Sexual violence remains a critical risk to student safety and wellbeing, and this Australian study demonstrates the potential of scalable digital interventions to address it. Led by researchers at The University of Queensland, the study evaluated a university-wide online module focused on consent, bystander intervention, and responding to disclosures. The results showed meaningful improvements in […]

Australian university students are at a life stage where sexual health risks are higher, yet many are not accessing the services designed to support them. This large Australian study, led by researchers from The University of Queensland with collaboration from multiple institutions, surveyed 4,291 students across five universities to understand how and why students use […]

Alcohol advertising on social media is a constant presence for young Australian university students, raising concerns about how online environments may normalise drinking and influence risky alcohol behaviours. In a University of Queensland study, 125 students aged 17–24 scrolled Facebook or Instagram for 30 minutes and recorded every alcohol ad they saw. On average, students […]

Students are at an increased risk of experiencing mental health challenges during the transition to university, a period that can also negatively impact their diet quality. This systematic review, inclusive of existing international studies, aimed to investigate the relationship between student eating habits and their mental wellbeing. The findings reported that students with healthier diets […]

Many university students have limited nutrition knowledge, which can contribute to poor dietary habits and increased long-term health risks. This research was undertaken to investigate whether improving students’ understanding of nutrition translates into healthier food choices. Researchers conducted a scoping review, synthesising findings from a range of international studies that examined the relationship between nutrition […]

Video gaming is highly prevalent among university students, yet its health associations remain poorly understood. Researchers surveyed university students in Western Australia, examining gaming behaviours alongside key indicators of wellbeing, including diet quality, physical activity, sleep, and stress. The findings indicate that higher levels of gaming are associated with poorer diet quality, reduced physical activity, […]

Gender-based violence (GBV) continues to present a significant challenge across higher education, with serious implications for student safety, wellbeing and participation in campus life. Universities are increasingly expected to take a proactive, whole-of-institution approach to preventing and responding to GBV, including within co-curricular environments such as sport, where large numbers of students engage socially and […]