University academics’ experiences and perceptions of mental health problems

Mental health problems (MHPs) are increasingly prevalent in academia, yet most attention has focused on students. Academics, who often support students with MHPs, may themselves experience significant mental health challenges. This systematic review aimed to explore university academics’ experiences of MHPs, following PRISMA guidelines. A comprehensive search was conducted using six electronic databases and eleven studies representing approximately 4,000 participants met the eligibility criteria. Eleven studies (qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods) involving roughly 4,000 participants were included. Thematic analysis identified five major themes: precipitators of MHPs, prevalence of MHPs, predisposing and protective factors of MHPs, prevention of help-seeking for MHPs and pursuing solutions for MHPs. Findings from this review highlight that a considerable proportion of university academics experience symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress at levels that are often severe. Risk factors include being female, single, childless and holding a doctorate. Despite the high prevalence of MHPs in academic staff, many do not seek help due to barriers such as stigma associated with MHPs, fear of professional repercussions and time constraints. These findings may contribute to the development of effective strategies to support the mental well-being of university academics. Despite growing interest, research on the mental health of academics remains limited and warrants further investigation.