ArticleJournal of education and health promotion2025
Unseen struggles: A qualitative exploration of mental health challenges among higher education students in Tamil Nadu, India.
Article in Journal of education and health promotion, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
backgroundMental health challenges, such as depression, are prevalent among higher education due to unique pressures, including academic pressures, financial constraints, familial expectations, and the pervasive influence of social media. In Tamil Nadu, India, these issues are compounded by cultural and socioeconomic barriers, further complicating the management of an already critical problem. Therefore, a comprehensive assessment of students' experiences with mental health issues, particularly those that remain asymptomatic, is essential. This study aims to investigate the various factors influencing depression among students in Tamil Nadu and analyze potential behavioral adaptations to improve coping mechanisms. MATERIALS AND
methodsA qualitative research design was employed for higher education institutions across Tamil Nadu, where 15 students participated in in-depth interviews. Purposive sampling was used to capture a diverse range of factors contributing to mental health challenges. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed thematically, producing a narrative that identified key themes and subthemes related to family dynamics, academic stressors, financial pressures, social influences, and personal coping mechanisms.
resultsThe thematic analysis revealed that family expectations, financial burdens, academic workload, and the pervasive influence of social media significantly impacted students' mental health. Economic hardship and family responsibilities, especially for students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, emerged as dominant stressors. These factors compounded academic stress and heightened feelings of anxiety and self-doubt, particularly when students perceived their teachers as being biased or unfair. Social media further intensified feelings of inadequacy and loneliness, exacerbated during the isolation and uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic. Coping mechanisms varied widely - while some students engaged in healthy practices such as exercise, others resorted to substance abuse, highlighting contrasting behavioral responses to stress.
conclusionThese findings underscore the urgent need for mental health interventions tailored to the specific needs of higher education students in Tamil Nadu. Implementing supportive policies, accessible counseling services, and targeted awareness programs within educational institutions could significantly alleviate the mental health burden. The context-specific challenges identified in this study provide valuable insights for designing effective mental health interventions across diverse institutional settings.
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