CAMPUS

.The CAPTURE project complements the existing evidence base on students’ mental health by systematically investigating previously under-researched factors. To identify knowledge gaps and underexplored aspects, existing project data on student mental health and findings from international studies are systematically screened. To address identified data gaps, a web-based survey will be conducted at the four participating universities and additional interested higher education institutions across Germany. The survey will capture critical phases in the academic journey (e.g., the final stages of study) as well as the needs and requirements of specific subpopulations (e.g., students with disabilities, students with caregiving responsibilities, and working students). The collected data will be integrated into existing national and international research findings, and a qualitative synthesis will be conducted combining national and international evidence

In subproject ASSESS, the data set on mental health of students in Germany is being expanded through the use of large, population-based cohort studies. Data from the NAKO Health Study and the DigiHero Study are analysed, both of which provide comprehensive information on student status, mental health, as well as sociodemographic and health-related characteristics. The longitudinal design enables the investigation of temporal trajectories of mental distress and their association with academic phases and life transitions (e.g., before, during, and after university). In addition, linkage with health insurance data allows for detailed analyses of diagnoses and healthcare utilization, making it possible to reconstruct care pathways and identify potential gaps in care.

A key strength of this subproject lies in its broad, population-based data foundation, which enables analyses beyond individual universities and supports generalizable conclusions for Germany. Furthermore, the integration of primary and secondary data facilitates the inclusion of population groups that are difficult to capture using routine data alone.

The findings provide a central empirical basis for identifying risk and resilience factors and for analysing healthcare processes. They will be integrated in results from the other subprojects and will contribute substantially to the development of evidence-based recommendations within the CAMPUS framework.

The sub-project MAGNIFY builds on the quantitative findings from sub-project CAPTURE and sub-project ASSESS using a qualitative approach that allows for a detailed examination of individual perspectives, experiences, and views, and captures the complex interplay of various risk and resilience factors. Selected groups of students with specific risk and resilience factors (e.g., students with caregiving responsibilities such as parenting or caring for relatives, LGBTQIA+* students) are examined in depth through qualitative, guided interviews. The results will be used to analyse specific stressors as well as factors that promote or hinder mental health and well-being, and subsequently to derive recommendations tailored to the target groups. The recommendations on how groups of students with specific risk and resilience factors can best be accommodated in future university mental health promotion efforts will also be incorporated into the CAMPUS Framework.

PRODUCE contributes to various sub-projects within the CAMPUS consortium, which is conducting a systematic investigation into the mental health of students in Germany in order to gain insights relevant to intervention strategies and derive practical recommendations for higher education institutions.

Within the consortium, the PRODUCE sub-project focuses on analysing factors related to university structures, the quality of health promotion services and students’ mental health. The PRODUCE sub-project also expands the existing database by supplying its own university's survey data to the consortium project. The PRODUCE sub-project also synthesises and processes findings generated across the entire consortium. Based on this evidence, a system-oriented prevention concept is developed in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, in accordance with the co-creation approach. This concept is ultimately incorporated into the CAMPUS framework of the overall consortium.

The main objective is to synthesise and process the findings generated by the entire consortium. This evidence will then be used to develop an application-oriented concept for system-based prevention, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders and in line with the co-creation approach.

As part of the CAMPUS joint project, sub-project UNFOLD STRENGTHS is dedicated to the development of a scientifically sound framework to promote the mental well-being of students. As a basis, a scoping review including literature searches in international databases, relevant websites and gray literature will be carried out to identify existing frameworks for mental health at universities from various disciplines. The project aims to make existing strengths visible at the individual, social and structural levels and make them usable in an innovative, adaptable framework for universities. For the development of the CAMPUS framework, tested theoretical approaches are combined with the research results from the other sub-projects in the CAMPUS project. As the need for action, as well as barriers and resources differ from university to university, care is taken to ensure that the framework is adaptable to the different requirements and concerns of universities. Interim statuses of the framework will be discussed in an iterative process with the stakeholders of the steering committee (including the working group on health-promoting universities). Results from CAMPUS will be communicated to the public and various stakeholders at universities in a targeted manner. For this purpose, a comprehensive communication concept will be developed and applied within the framework, which will identify relevant dialog groups (students, university staff, professors, university management, health insurance companies, political actors), communication channels and paths, content and communication formats. The expertise of the CAMPUS steering committee is continuously consulted for the communication channels and content, as well as the possible use of innovative formats for dissemination. Based on the feedback, the communication concept will be finalized towards the end of the project.