Research Questions  

This objective seeks to understand the prevalence of common mental disorders experienced by students and does so by answering the following specific questions (with references to publications, if applicable):

• What is the prevalence of depression and anxiety for first year students at WITS?
• What is the prevalence of depression and anxiety among undergraduates and postgraduate students at WITS?
• What are the prevalence and determinants of suicidal ideation amongst Faculty of Health Science students?

In addition to describing the prevalence of common mental disorders we seek to understand the determinants associated with these conditions. In doing so, we seek to answer the following questions:

• What are the significant academic and sociodemographic correlates of depression and anxiety among WITS undergraduates?
• What are the significant comorbid risks of depression and anxiety? e.g., Substance useand suicidal ideation.

Recognizing that positive coping strategies and resilience can mitigate some of this burden, we seek to understand:

• What is the prevalence of students who identify as resilient?
• What is the relationship between resilience and depressive and anxious symptomology?
  

This objective seeks to uncover how mental health may impact student success, by determining the relationship effects between mental health and various measures of student success. This is done by answering the following research questions:

• Is there a difference in the mental health status of students as they progress into their next year of study?
• Does the mental health status of students influence the rate of progress?
• Does the mental health status of students influence academic scores?
• Does the mental health status of students influence additional measures of student success?
  

This objective seeks to develop an intervention programme that can be utilized by Wits to promote positive mental health outcomes among Wits students. To develop an appropriate intervention, we seek to outline the utilization of mental health support at the institution. This will be addressed by answering the following questions:

• How can the mental health help-seeking behaviours of WITS students be described?
• What is the uptake of existing mental health services at WITS?

The help-seeking behaviours of Wits students and their uptake of mental health services can inform on the type of intervention strategies that can be used for this student population. With this in mind, we seek to address the following questions:

• What is the best suited intervention strategy to promote mental health for students at WITS?
• What is the cost-benefit of the proposed intervention strategy?