Enhancing the Mental Health of International Master’s Students at Novia UAS Using Service Design

Issues related to the mental health of university students, especially that of international students, have emerged as a topic of interest in academia and the health sector. In recent times, multiple papers have pointed out that students in general and international master’s students in particular frequently experience stress, anxiety, and depression (frequently, including international master’s students.)

The prevalence of mental health issues among students in Finland is consistently reported to be high. Studies have found that a significant proportion of students experience symptoms of anxiety, depression, stress, and burnout during their academic journey. This was earlier reported in research carried out in 2021 by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), in cooperation with the Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela). It was stated that one-third of higher education students in Finland suffer from symptoms of anxiety and depression, which is a significantly higher rate of mental health symptoms and psychological distress than the adult population (THL, 2021). 

The latest research (THL, 2024) shows that seventeen percent of students suffer from anxiety disorder while another 30 percent have milder symptoms of burnout and feelings of inefficiency. While the exact prevalence rates may vary, depending on the study population and methodology used, the overall trend suggests that mental health issues are a widespread concern among Finnish students.

The thesis project sought to enhance the mental health of international master’s students in Novia using service design. To do this, the first step was to investigate the root causes of stress, anxiety, and depression among international master's students. Design thinking and the double diamond model were chosen as a starting point to foster creativity and collaboration.

A Human-Centered Service Design Approach

Figure 1. The double diamond model (Design Council, 2024)

Figure 1 provides a summary of the thesis project, which presents an ideal case study for comprehending the precise issues experienced by international master’s students and offering new solutions through the adoption of the double diamond model and design thinking.

This collaboration between service design and design thinking is highly effective in creating innovative solutions for emergency needs within the educational sector. This fosters a problem-solving approach and aids in developing profound solutions for international students with mental health challenges. In this research, the design thinking process guided the selection and use of service design tools at each phase of the double diamond model.

Utilizing the Double Diamond Framework to Address Student Challenges

The Double Diamond framework structures creative problem-solving into four phases: Discover, Define, Develop, and Deliver. This process balances extensive investigation and targeted implementation, leading to actionable solutions. Starting with the discovery phase, semi-structured interviews were conducted with students, a study psychologist, and the head of the degree program in service design, to gather insights on the causes of mental health amongst international master’s students. Key insights gathered included cultural shock, language barriers, inability to secure accommodation, unemployment, harsh weather conditions, loneliness, isolation, and unfamiliarity with the Finnish education system.

In the define phase, a value proposition canvas was created to identify the pains and gains of international master’s students, using the information derived from the discovery stage. The data was synthesized, and challenges were categorized into clear themes. User personas were created to represent diverse student experiences, taking their cultural backgrounds, mental health needs, and academic aspirations into consideration. Benchmarking against universities like Sheffield Hallam, Helsinki, and Aalto University highlighted gaps in Novia’s support systems, particularly in mental health support, career support, and social integration programs. This analysis showcased areas where Novia could improve in serving its international students better.

The development phase focused on creating potential solutions to the challenges discovered. This phase took into consideration the insights obtained from the interviews, value proposition canvas, user personas, and benchmarking, to create a concrete proposal that could address the identified issues. The key solution developed in this phase was the Novia Career Centre; A comprehensive support hub designed to support international master’s students by offering tailored career coaching and counselling, peer mentorship programs, alumni support, mental health workshops, professional skills development, language workshops, and local job market integration. Additionally, a business model canvas was created to map out the structure and operations of the Career Centre to ensure its effectiveness and sustainability.

The final step of the double diamond framework was the delivery phase. In this phase, the solution was transformed into a promotional flier that served as a prototype for the Novia Career Centre. The flier served as a key communication tool designed to inform international master’s students about the comprehensive support services that Novia will offer through the Career Centre. With a concise and visually appealing format, it outlined these services. Lastly the flier was sent out within small groups of students to gather feedback to assess the effectiveness of the prototype. Feedback was mostly positive, so no major adjustment was necessary.

Conclusion: A Path Toward Holistic Support

This thesis identified mental health challenges faced by international master’s students at Novia UAS and demonstrated how the double diamond and design thinking approach can be utilized in creating user-centred solutions that address students' specific needs. The insights gathered in the discover and define phases provided a strong foundation for developing solutions that can tackle loneliness, language barriers, and unemployment. Also, by adopting best practices from other universities, Novia can implement a supportive, empathetic, and structured environment that can help international students thrive academically and mentally.

This study offered a holistic approach to address the mental health challenges of international students, by tailoring services to meet their specific needs. Specifically, the creation of peer mentorship programs, alumni support, culturally sensitive counselling, social events, career coaching, job search assistance, mental health workshops, professional skills development, and entrepreneurial support can help reduce unemployment, create a sense of belonging and peer support, boost self-confidence, give students autonomy and purpose, and provide coping strategies and resilience. By integrating these solutions, Novia could ensure that academically, socially and mentally, their international students are thriving and ultimately lead to the long-term success of international education in Finland.

Further Reading

Brandolin, F., Lappalainen, P., Gorinelli, S., Muotka, J., Räsänen, P., & Lappalainen, R. (2023). The effectiveness of a five-session workshop on the distress of international students in Finland-a pilot study. British Journal of Guidance & Counselling, 51(6), 865–882. 

Brown, V. (2024). Modern double diamond design: Rethinking a classic design process. Accessed from https://blog.logrocket.com/ux-design/modern-double-diamond-design/

Dam, R. F. (2023). The 5 stages in the design thinking process. Interaction Design Foundation - IxDF. https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/article/5-stages-in-the-design-thinking-process

Grigaitytė, I. (2022). Social Integration, Psychological Well-being, and Proactive Attitudes towards the Integration of Immigrants in a Sample of the Swedish-speaking Population in Western Finland.

Misirlis, N., Zwaan, M. H., & Weber, D. (2020). International students’ loneliness, depression and stress levels in COVID-19 crisis. The role of social media and the host university. In arXiv [cs.SI]. http://arxiv.org/abs/2005.12806

Pappa, S., Elomaa, M., & Perälä-Littunen, S. (2020). Sources of stress and scholarly identity: the case of international doctoral students of education in Finland. Higher Education, 80(1), 173–192. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-019-00473-6

THL (2021). Higher education students need support. https://thl.fi/en/-/higher-education-students-need-support-researchers-concerned-about-the-high-prevalence-of-symptoms-of-anxiety-and-depression

THL (2024). KOTT 2024. https://www.thl.fi/kott_verkkoraportit/ilmioraportit_2024/mielenterveys_ja_mielenterveyspalvelujen_riittavyys.html

Short Bio on the Author

Chiamaka Sharon Ezuka has worked as a digital marketer in the IT industry for four years in Nigeria. She is also a graduate of communications from the University of Nigeria Nsukka. In her spare time, Chiamaka enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and taking walks.

The blog post has been reviewed by Novia's editorial board and accepted for publication on 18.12.2024.