A Qualitative Analysis of South African University Students’ Perceptions of Telehealth Psychological Counselling Benefits for Mental Health

Abstract

Telehealth psychological counselling, while it has long been in existence, it gained growing recognition during the COVID-19 pandemic era and has since continued to grow and be incorporated in mental health treatment. Despite the growing knowledge and utilization of telehealth psychological services, knowledge about the benefits and challenges of telehealth psychological counselling is limited, particularly in the university population. This study aimed to explore students’ perceptions of the benefits and challenges of telehealth psychological counselling during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using an exploratory research design, eight students were purposively selected to participate in semi-structured individual interviews. Thematic analysis was used to analyse data. The findings indicate that telehealth psychological counselling was perceived as beneficial in alleviating psychological distress during the pandemic. However, poor network connectivity was reported as a significant barrier. Overall, the study outlined the importance of integrating telehealth psychological counselling into future mental health services to enhance support for students and promote mental well-being.