Design thinking to improve student mental well-being

This chapter explores the implementation of a design thinking project to create novel solutions that improve the mental health of undergraduate students in North America. Transitioning into adulthood and living away from home for the first time, college students are bombarded with unfamiliar and stressful experiences. In this context, students often experience the onset of mental health and substance use problems, or an exacerbation of existing symptoms. Ensuring optimal mental health in higher education is critical for academic success. Innovative mental health services can also help college administrators recruit and retain students in an increasingly competitive global market. Throughout a semester-long creativity class, students implemented design thinking practices to generate innovative solutions to improve mental well-being. Findings demonstrate the value of design thinking for educational institutions seeking to improve the mental health experiences of their students.