IELTS Reading Practice: Supporting Mental Health in Higher Education

The IELTS Reading section is a crucial component of the test, assessing your ability to comprehend complex texts and answer various question types. Today, we’ll focus on a topic that has gained significant attention in recent years: supporting mental health in higher education. This subject has appeared in several past IELTS exams and, given its ongoing relevance, is likely to feature in future tests as well. Let’s dive into a practice passage and questions to help you prepare for this potential topic.

Practice Passage

Mental Health Support in Higher Education

In recent years, the mental health of university students has become a growing concern for educational institutions worldwide. The transition to higher education, academic pressures, financial stress, and social challenges can all contribute to mental health issues among students. As a result, universities are increasingly recognizing the need to implement comprehensive support systems to address this crucial aspect of student well-being.

One of the primary ways universities are tackling this issue is by expanding their counseling services. Many institutions are hiring more mental health professionals, including psychologists, counselors, and social workers, to meet the rising demand for support. These professionals offer individual and group therapy sessions, crisis intervention, and workshops on stress management and coping strategies. Some universities have even implemented 24/7 helplines to ensure students can access support whenever they need it.

Another innovative approach is the integration of mental health education into the curriculum. Some institutions are incorporating modules on mental health awareness, stress management, and emotional intelligence into their core courses. This proactive approach aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills to maintain their mental well-being throughout their academic journey and beyond.

Peer support programs have also proven effective in creating a supportive campus environment. These initiatives train students to recognize signs of mental distress in their peers and provide initial support or guide them to professional help. Such programs not only extend the reach of mental health services but also foster a culture of empathy and understanding among students.

Technology is playing an increasingly important role in mental health support on campuses. Many universities are now offering online counseling services and mental health apps that allow students to access resources and support discreetly and conveniently. These digital tools can be particularly beneficial for students who may feel hesitant about seeking face-to-face help or those with busy schedules.

Furthermore, universities are working to destigmatize mental health issues through awareness campaigns and open discussions. Events such as mental health awareness weeks, wellness fairs, and public talks by mental health professionals help to normalize conversations about mental health and encourage students to seek help when needed.

However, challenges remain in implementing comprehensive mental health support in higher education. Funding constraints, long waiting times for counseling services, and varying levels of awareness among faculty and staff are some of the obstacles that institutions face. Additionally, the diverse needs of student populations, including international students and those from different cultural backgrounds, require tailored approaches to mental health support.

Despite these challenges, the focus on mental health in higher education continues to grow. Universities are increasingly recognizing that supporting students’ mental well-being is not just a moral imperative but also crucial for academic success and overall student satisfaction. As research in this area expands and best practices emerge, we can expect to see more innovative and effective approaches to supporting mental health in higher education settings.

Mental health support in university

Questions

True/False/Not Given

For questions 1-5, please indicate whether the statements are True, False, or Not Given based on the information in the passage.

1. All universities now offer 24/7 mental health helplines for students.
2. Some universities are including mental health education in their core curriculum.
3. Peer support programs have been shown to be effective in supporting student mental health.
4. Online counseling services are less popular than face-to-face sessions among students.
5. Mental health awareness campaigns in universities have completely eliminated the stigma associated with mental health issues.

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.

6. According to the passage, which of the following is NOT mentioned as a factor contributing to mental health issues among university students?
   A) Academic pressures
   B) Financial stress
   C) Social challenges
   D) Physical health problems

7. The passage suggests that universities are expanding their counseling services by:
   A) Offering only group therapy sessions
   B) Hiring more mental health professionals
   C) Reducing the number of available appointments
   D) Focusing solely on crisis intervention

8. Which of the following is described as a benefit of peer support programs?
   A) They replace professional mental health services
   B) They are less expensive to implement than other programs
   C) They help create a culture of empathy among students
   D) They guarantee complete confidentiality for students seeking help

Matching Headings

Match the following headings to paragraphs 3-7 in the passage. Choose the correct heading from the list below.

A) Technological Solutions for Mental Health Support
B) Curriculum Integration of Mental Health Education
C) Challenges in Implementing Mental Health Support
D) Peer-to-Peer Mental Health Initiatives
E) Destigmatizing Mental Health on Campus

9. Paragraph 3: ____
10. Paragraph 4: ____
11. Paragraph 5: ____
12. Paragraph 6: ____
13. Paragraph 7: ____

Answer Key and Explanations

1. False – The passage states that “Some universities have even implemented 24/7 helplines,” not all universities.

2. True – The passage mentions that “Some institutions are incorporating modules on mental health awareness, stress management, and emotional intelligence into their core courses.”

3. True – The passage states that “Peer support programs have also proven effective in creating a supportive campus environment.”

4. Not Given – The passage does not compare the popularity of online counseling to face-to-face sessions.

5. False – The passage suggests that universities are working to destigmatize mental health issues, but it does not state that stigma has been completely eliminated.

6. D – Physical health problems are not mentioned in the passage as a factor contributing to mental health issues among university students.

7. B – The passage states that “Many institutions are hiring more mental health professionals, including psychologists, counselors, and social workers.”

8. C – The passage mentions that peer support programs “foster a culture of empathy and understanding among students.”

9. B – This paragraph discusses the integration of mental health education into the curriculum.

10. D – This paragraph focuses on peer support programs.

11. A – This paragraph discusses the use of technology in mental health support.

12. E – This paragraph talks about efforts to destigmatize mental health issues through awareness campaigns and open discussions.

13. C – This paragraph outlines the challenges in implementing comprehensive mental health support in higher education.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Overgeneralizing: Be cautious about statements that use absolute terms like “all” or “never.” In IELTS Reading, these are often false or not supported by the text.
2. Misinterpreting “Not Given”: Remember that “Not Given” means the information is neither confirmed nor denied in the passage.
3. Overlooking key qualifiers: Words like “some,” “many,” or “often” are important in determining the accuracy of statements.
4. Relying on prior knowledge: Base your answers solely on the information provided in the passage, not on your own knowledge of the topic.

Vocabulary

Here are some key vocabulary items from the passage:

1. Comprehensive (adjective) – /kɒmprɪˈhensɪv/ – complete and including everything that is necessary
2. Implement (verb) – /ˈɪmplɪment/ – to put a plan or system into operation
3. Intervention (noun) – /ˌɪntəˈvenʃn/ – the action of becoming involved in a difficult situation in order to improve it or prevent it from getting worse
4. Proactive (adjective) – /prəʊˈæktɪv/ – creating or controlling a situation rather than just responding to it after it has happened
5. Destigmatize (verb) – /diːˈstɪɡmətaɪz/ – to remove the negative associations or social disapproval attached to something

Grammar Focus

Pay attention to the use of present perfect tense in the passage, for example:

“Peer support programs have also proven effective in creating a supportive campus environment.”

This tense is used to describe actions or situations that started in the past and continue to be relevant in the present. The structure is: subject + have/has + past participle.

Tips for Success

1. Practice time management: Allocate your time wisely between reading the passage and answering questions.
2. Skim and scan: Quickly skim the passage for main ideas, then scan for specific details when answering questions.
3. Use context clues: If you encounter unfamiliar words, try to understand their meaning from the surrounding context.
4. Pay attention to paragraph structure: Topic sentences and concluding sentences often contain key information.
5. Stay focused: Mental health in higher education is a broad topic. In the exam, concentrate on the specific aspects discussed in the passage.

Remember, consistent practice with various topics and question types is key to improving your IELTS Reading score. Keep challenging yourself with diverse texts and timed practice sessions to build your skills and confidence.

For more IELTS preparation resources, check out our articles on how to support mental health for college students and the impact of social media on mental health in the workplace. These topics are related to mental health in different contexts and can help broaden your understanding and vocabulary for the IELTS test.