Thriving Minds : A Mental Health and Wellness Program for University Students

Abstract

Young adults, particularly those going through social, professional, and academic transitions, are increasingly being impacted by mental health issues such anxiety, stress, and mood-related diseases.  The purpose of this study was to ascertain whether an organized mental health program may have a favorable impact on young adults attending a university in Silang, Cavite, in terms of their anxiety levels, coping mechanisms, and overall well-being.  To find any notable improvements, it specifically evaluated the participants' psychological states both before and after the session. 48 college students between the ages of 18 and 30 were purposefully chosen using a one-group pretest-posttest quasi-experimental approach. The inclusion criteria included mild to moderate symptoms of stress or anxiety.  Participants took part in several programs that covered group discussions, coping skills training, and stress management.  Three primary outcomes were assessed using standardized instruments: general anxiety, attention awareness (a stand-in for coping mechanisms), and general well-being. Overall anxiety fell by an average of 1.604 points, but attention awareness and well-being increased by 0.282 and 0.208 points, respectively, according to the results.  These gains, however, were not statistically significant, according to paired sample t-tests (p >.05).  The patterns indicate that systematic mental health therapies may promote psychological benefits in young adults, even though the results are not statistically significant.  It is advised that more research be done with bigger sample sizes and longer follow-up times to assess the long-term effectiveness of these initiatives.  Future studies should also look into culturally specific interventions that deal with stigma and obstacles to access, especially in low- and middle-income countries like the Philippines.