Higher Education with a Humanistic Approach: foundations for a comprehensive public welfare policy

Abstract

Contemporary education faces a critical challenge related to the emotional well-being of students, exacerbated by rising academic expectations that often lead to high levels of burnout and anxiety. These pressures foster harmful comparisons that can negatively impact students' quality of life. Recognizing and addressing these emotional difficulties is essential for developing an educational approach that prioritizes mental health and holistic learning. This study aims to analyze how the educational community at the Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila promotes academic opportunities and addresses the emotional issues faced by students. Through a methodological approach that combines surveys and interviews, data were collected on students' perceptions and experiences. The results reveal that the implementation of training programs for educators, focused on themes of empathy and emotional support, generates academic opportunities for students. Furthermore, the integration of competencies in education contributes to creating a more humane educational environment. These findings allow to identify key elements that may serve as a basis for the design of university’s public politics aimed at the integral wellbeing of the student body, from a humanist, preventive and transformative perspective.