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Abstract

Based on semi-structured interviews with 23 participants, this study explores how student affairs professionals in higher education make sense of the role-related and communication-related challenges that they face when students disclose mental health concerns. Study results indicated that participants construct their role as student affairs professionals as advocates and sources of support for students struggling with mental health. However, despite framing their role as “helpers” to students, participants noted that they must navigate mental health resources within and beyond their institution, manage constraints on their role, and grapple with external factors that inhibit students’ ability to receive mental health support. Additionally, participants face communication challenges around destigmatizing mental health, responding effectively to student disclosures of mental health concerns, and reaching out to students who are unwilling to seek mental health support. The implications of the findings on communication between student affairs professionals and students struggling with mental health concerns are discussed.

Journal Title

Iowa Journal of Communication

Volume

57

Issue

1

First Page

82

Last Page

105

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

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