The state of college students’ mental health is a growing phenomenon across university campuses. Educators often watch students struggle with academic, social, financial, and familial issues. Over the past decade, these issues have led to an increasing number of students exhibiting behavior related to anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders. Raising Mental Health Awareness in Higher Education: Emerging Research and Opportunities describes the current state of college students’ mental health in the United States, influences that contribute to wavering mental health, factors that promote flourishing mental health, and interventions that support mental health. While highlighting present programs and activities, readers will find new methods that can be implemented to support the needs of college students. This book is an important resource for staff and faculty in postsecondary institutions seeking current research on the growing problem of mental health in higher education.

Student wellbeing is foundational to academic success. One recent survey of postsecondary educators found that nearly 80 percent believed emotional wellbeing is a "very" or "extremely" important factor in student success. Studies have found the dropout rates for students with a diagnosed mental health problem range from 43 percent to as high as 86 percent. While dealing with stress is a normal part of life, for some students, stress can adversely affect their physical, emotional, and psychological health, particularly given that adolescence and early adulthood are when most mental illnesses are first manifested. In addition to students who may develop mental health challenges during their time in postsecondary education, many students arrive on campus with a mental health problem or having experienced significant trauma in their lives, which can also negatively affect physical, emotional, and psychological wellbeing. The nation's institutions of higher education are seeing increasing levels of mental illness, substance use and other forms of emotional distress among their students. Some of the problematic trends have been ongoing for decades. Some have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic consequences. Some are the result of long-festering systemic racism in almost every sphere of American life that are becoming more widely acknowledged throughout society and must, at last, be addressed. Mental Health, Substance Use, and Wellbeing in Higher Education lays out a variety of possible strategies and approaches to meet increasing demand for mental health and substance use services, based on the available evidence on the nature of the issues and what works in various situations. The recommendations of this report will support the delivery of mental health and wellness services by the nation's institutions of higher education.

Because progressive advancements to healthcare practices are leading to longer lifespans, an increased number of aging individuals now require constant care from practiced caregivers. The financial costs of in-home care can be quite high; therefore, many families are opting to stand in as caregivers, and this can lead to various impacts on their own social and psychological wellbeing. The Mental Health Effects of Informal Caregiving: Emerging Research and Opportunities provides autobiographical accounts and statistical data associated with the caregiving experience, as well as the methods to discern the positive psychological forces that shape the subjective wellbeing of informal caregivers. Highlighting topics such as institutional vs. informal caregiving, special healthcare needs, and veteran care, this book is ideally designed for psychologists, therapists, researchers, medical institutions, academia, and students seeking current research on the subjective wellbeing of informal caregivers.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a tremendous effect on the mental health of people globally. It is critical to examine how people adapted to this new normal to understand the effects on society and its citizens. Community Mental Health and Well-Being in the New Normal discusses the mental health concerns of individuals during the pandemic, the new normal, and the transition stage. The book also examines the coping mechanisms utilized to overcome mental health concerns during turbulent times. Covering key topics such as social distancing, student mental health, and pandemics, this premier reference source is ideal for medical professionals, nurses, sociologists, psychiatrists, psychologists, policymakers, researchers, scholars, academicians, practitioners, instructors, and students.

Mass shootings continue to occur today and affect the public's sense of safety and security. Examining the nature of shooters and law enforcement responses when shootings occur offers further understanding in effective crisis response management and development. Assessing and Averting the Prevalence of Mass Violence provides advanced insights into the social implications and the cultural and political natures of violent events. The content within this publication explores gun violence, crisis management, and public policy. It is a vital reference source for law enforcement professionals, criminal justice students, sociology researchers, policymakers, and government researchers seeking coverage on topics centered on mass violence prevention, assessment, and intervention.

One of the most significant dimensions of gender studies is that it is political. It raises questions about power in society and how and why power is differentially distributed between different genders. It asks questions about who has power over whom, in which situations, how power is exercised, and how it is, and can be, challenged. Different theories and perspectives within gender studies have different approaches to these questions and look for answers in different social processes. Many debates are on-going, as new data is revealed and new theories are put forth. Understanding Gender in the African Context is a scholarly reference that explores the complexities of the ideologies and social patterns that contribute to the field of gender studies. Featuring a range of topics such as human rights, feminism, and social media, this book is ideal for policymakers, sociologists, social scientists, civil society organizations, government officials, academicians, researchers, and students.

As our dependence on technology increases, technology has imbibed itself even in our everyday routines, from checking our heart rate to keeping tabs on our diets. We are dependent on this technology, but when it comes to gaming, it is always considered to be something that one must avoid so that one can utilize that time for something productive. However, when one adds gamification logic to the health sector, it adds value by helping improve the health of the user. Exergaming Intervention for Children, Adolescents, and Elderly People tackles social problems via technology intervention using gamification as a medium. This book includes various theoretical and experimental breakthroughs on new methodologies and technologies. Covering topics such as digital aids, learning tools, and serious games, this premier reference source is an excellent resource for game developers, medical professionals, hospital administrators, administrators and educators of both K-12 and higher education, pre-service teachers, students of higher education, teacher educators, librarians, researchers, and academicians.