Supported education is a simple idea that makes intuitive sense. Getting a college degree can be extremely beneficial, both personally and professionally. Higher education allows people the chance to explore their interests and fulfill their dreams, while also markedly improving their employment prospects for a lifetime. At the same time, people with mental health needs often struggle to adapt to the demands of higher education. The practice of supported education came about to resolve this challenge, by designing strategies, resources and supports specifically designed to help students with mental health need succeed in higher ed settings, and enjoy the benefits of getting a degree.
But what evidence exists to show that supported education works? Is it an “evidence-based practice”? What does that designation really mean, and how might it impact the way supported education gets implemented? In the latest Focus newsletter, Supported Education: Examining the Evidence, we take a look at these questions, and explore the implications of the growing body of evidence that supports the effectiveness of supported education.