Advancing well-being in digital higher education: insights from the HealthyMindEd and MindGuard projects
The recent webinar on Well-being in Digital Higher Education brought together educators, researchers, and practitioners to explore how digital teaching and learning environments can better support the well-being of students and staff in higher education. Led by experts Tania Villanueva-Cabajo and Martina Natalini, the session highlighted both the challenges and innovative solutions emerging in the post-pandemic era of digital education.
The Healthy Minded Project: Understanding Digital Well-being
Tania Villanueva-Cabajo, from the University of Warwick, introduced the Healthy Minded project, an EU-funded initiative focused on fostering well-being in digital learning environments. The project aims to create a digital education ecosystem that not only enhances academic outcomes but also prioritizes the mental, physical, and social well-being of students and educators.
The project’s scoping review revealed that digital education, while offering flexibility and accessibility, has also introduced moderate physiological, psychological, and emotional burdens. These challenges are influenced by a mix of individual factors, such as digital literacy, and environmental conditions, including the design of digital platforms and the level of institutional support. To address these issues, the Healthy Minded team is employing mixed-method research, combining surveys and focus groups to gather deeper insights into the experiences of students and teaching staff.
One of the project’s key goals is to develop policy recommendations and a repository of best practices, ensuring that institutions can adopt evidence-based strategies to support well-being in digital education.
The MindGuard Project: Innovating Mental Health Support
Martina Natalini presented the MindGuard project, an Erasmus Plus initiative dedicated to mental health prevention in higher education. The project addresses critical gaps, such as the lack of mental health first aid policies and insufficient digital literacy among students and staff.
To tackle these challenges, MindGuard is developing a comprehensive guide for educators, an interactive training program, and a virtual reality (VR) platform. The VR platform, in particular, will allow users to simulate real-life scenarios, enabling them to practice supportive responses in a controlled environment. Martina announced an upcoming interactive webinar during All Digital Weeks in March 2026, where participants can engage with these new tools and strategies.
Interactive Workshop: Identifying Challenges and Solutions
The webinar included a brainstorming session, where participants shared their experiences and challenges related to digital teaching and learning. Using a collaborative sticky-note exercise, attendees highlighted several key issues:
Pedagogical challenges, such as reduced social interaction and difficulties in using digital tools effectively.
The need for structured support from institutions, including professional development for educators and clear guidelines on integrating digital tools without compromising well-being.
Participants also discussed the hidden costs of online learning, such as increased anxiety and feelings of isolation, emphasizing the importance of a holistic approach to student well-being.
Developing a Well-being Platform
The discussion extended to the development of a platform for mental and physical well-being support. Paticipants underscored the need to address changing learning behaviors and the impact of digital environments on student engagement and social connections. They stressed that institutions must provide better training for educators and structured resources to help students navigate digital learning environments successfully.
Key Takeaways and Recommendations
The webinar concluded with a call for collaborative action to integrate well-being into digital education strategies. Key recommendations included:
Adopting a holistic approach to student well-being, addressing both academic and digital challenges.
Investing in professional development for educators, focusing on digital skills and mental health support.
Developing clear policies and resources to guide institutions in creating supportive digital learning environments.
As digital education continues to evolve, initiatives like Healthy Minded and MindGuard are paving the way for a more inclusive, innovative, and well-being-focused approach to higher education.
You can download the presentation file in this link.