Kain, S., Chin-Newman, C., & Smith, S. (2019). “It’s All in Your Head:” Students with Psychiatric Disability Navigating the University Environment. Journal of Postsecondary Education & Disability, 32(4), 411–425.

University of South Florida

This study observes the effects of navigating a university environment with psychiatric disabilities. It observes students with disabilities and their overall experiences with the faculty and staff that are at universities that they are attending. There was a small group that was being studied, with 14 students being observed in total. The major themes are:

1.	The effects of stigma on the experience of being in university
2.	Impact and effect of the symptoms for students
3.	Strategies for coping with disability in the university environment
4.	Social support roles from staff and other faculty

“It’s all in your head:” Students with Psychiatric Disability Navigating the University Environment

Citation

There were mixed experiences when it came to student education. Results found that of the 14 students under observation, 9 students reported finding support systems in the staff counselors. They also reported negative experiences when it came to staff and professors. The professors would either be blatant in their discrimination, sometimes displaying micro-aggressions towards the student, or fail to provide the proper support to the students. The article also provided some recommendations for providing the support that students with psychiatric disabilities need. These recommendations include:

1.	Foster feelings of inclusion
2.	Increasing collaboration with mental health providers
3.	Training for faculty and staff in relation to psychiatric disabilities

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