Student support in the mental health context: A structured review

Abstract

Clinical placements in mental health forms part of mental health programmes. Student support is crucial to facilitate learning in this context. Limited support creates negative experiences that influence mental health as a career choice. Shortages in the mental health delivery system can be addressed with retention and recruitment of students through student support. The aim of this structured review was to identify opportunities and challenges in the provision of student support by educators in the mental health context. Keywords used were student support, mental health placements, clinical accompaniments, preceptors and educators. Several databases were searched and a total of 71 potential articles identified. The researcher scrutinized the titles and abstracts and identified 15 articles for critical appraisal. Data were subsequently extracted from 12 articles for the structured review. A subject information specialist assisted with literature searches and a cocoder enhanced objectivity. Data were thematically analysed through Tesch’s open coding technique. Three main themes emerged: (i) Preparation for clinical placement (ii) Generating support during clinical placement and (iii) Process of transformation after clinical placement. The findings highlighted the importance of student support during clinical mental health placements to facilitate positive experiences that enhance mental health as career choice. Reflection can assist students during mental health clinical placements to develop self-awareness to identify knowledge gaps that need to be addressed.

Keywords: Student support, mental health placements, educators and preceptors.