Roles and perspectives in supporting radiography student mental health: A qualitative exploration

Introduction: University-based mental health services are crucial to supporting radiography students' mental health and addressing university mental health risk factors. This study aimed to identify factors causing mental health challenges among radiography students, understand their academic impact, and explore lecturers' potential roles in supporting students' well-being at a Zimbabwean tertiary institution. Methods: A qualitative explorative study employing in-depth semi- structured interviews with 10 radiography students and eight educators was conducted. The interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim using Otter.ai software. The data was then analyzed inductively using thematic analysis in Nvivo 12, following Braun and Clarke's six- step approach. Results: Three themes were created that describe the factors causing mental health challenges among radiography students, their academic impact, and lecturers' potential roles in supporting students' well-being. The themes are i. Mental health challenges in diverse social, personal, and environmental landscapes ii. Coping and building resilience, and iii. Educator roles in holistic support for mental health and personal growth. A six-step "Cascade" model of the educator roles was proposed. Conclusions: The study highlights the complex mental health issues faced by radiography students, emphasizing the need for increased attention, resources, and support in academic environments. It highlights the importance of encouraging healthy coping strategies and cultivating a well-being culture, with educators playing a crucial role in fostering friendly environments and providing comprehensive support. Future research should investigate educators' ability to take on these roles while maintaining their current duties in Education 5.0.