Concepts and Methods in Student Mental Health

¹ Director and Psychiatric Adviser, University College London Health Centre, 3 Gower Place, W.C.1
² Consultant Psychiatrist, The London Hospital, E.1

Some of the changes which have taken place in the models on which psychiatric practice in a University or College setting is based are described. The practical consequences of different models are emphasized. Epidemiological analysis, which followed the recognition of the more serious disturbances and of suicide, effectively mapped out basic prevalence figures. The nosology of psychosexual, psychosocial and psychosomatic problems, however, remains confused, and the use of currently available methods of objectifying the clinical psychiatric examination is needed. The contributions from psychodynamic studies introduced a new frame of reference of heuristic value and led to formulation of problems in terms of concepts such as intrapsychic conflict and identity. Currently the main models are medical; cognitive-psychological; behavioural-psychological; counselling; and social-interactional. A variety of treatment methods relate to these models. Psychological treatments include the dynamic psychotherapies, individual and group; marital or couple therapy; the behavioural psychotherapies; counselling; and socially based techniques such as role-playing and assertiveness training. Future research should aim both at theoretical clarification and at cost-benefit assessment in order to select for different disorders and different patients the most appropriate treatment methods or combination of methods.