Research to target low-SES student mental health

A new research project funded through the ARC’s Discovery Indigenous scheme, and led by Dr Olivia Evans from The University of Newcastle, will investigate a new approach to improving the mental well-being of university students from low socioeconomic status (SES) backgrounds.

University students have a high risk of experiencing mental health problems, and students from low SES backgrounds have a particularly high risk. The research will test two different online social interventions that can reduce social class differences in social integration and mental well-being. Expected outcomes and benefits include a scalable, low-cost approach to reducing an SES inequality that costs Australia $12 billion per year.