Prioritizing Mental Health to Improve Academic Performance and Enhance Construction Engineering and Management Students’ Well-Being

Abstract

Mental health is a cornerstone of overall well-being, significantly impacting various facets of daily life, including academic success. The rising prevalence of mental health conditions among tertiary students is concerning, with 42% experiencing anxiety and/or depression and 38% receiving a mental health diagnosis in the United States. Additionally, 13% have contemplated suicide, ranking it as the second leading cause of death among tertiary students. Despite these concerning statistics, there is a notable lack of research on construction engineering and management students, who are particularly susceptible to mental health disorders. This highlights the crucial need to investigate the factors contributing to their poor mental health and to develop effective strategies for addressing these issues. This study aims to fill this gap by identifying the main mental health conditions impacting students; pinpointing the factors exacerbating students’ anxiety, depression, and stress; and proposing strategies to improve mental health and overall well-being. To achieve these goals, the study analyzed data from Florida International University’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) and administered a survey to students from three different academic institutions. CAPS data highlighted anxiety, depression, and stress as the main mental health concerns. The findings from the 175 conducted surveys underscored several academic factors contributing to students’ poor mental health and well-being, including exams, not understanding assignments, increased workload, lack of time management skills, poor work–life balance, presenting in class, financial issues, and uncertainty about the future. In light of these results, the authors recommended additional resources to improve academic performance and enhance students’ overall well-being.