Planning for low-threshold interventions with potential to promote university students’ mental health: Health-oriented change of key behaviors and interpersonal relations

Research idea and purpose: Young adults tend to desist from seeking help to improve their mental health, though up to half show signs of common mental health problems.

This research idea concerns planning of health-oriented low-threshold interventions that can promote young adults’ mental health and well-being.

We are planning for two interventions: 1) one that builds on key behaviors for improved mental health (TYD), and 2) one that concerns concrete management of interpersonal conflict (REACH).

Randomized, controlled trials (RCT’s) have shown that both interventions reduce depression and anxiety and improve wellbeing.

Work plan, methods and project realization: Since 2020, we have been mapping mental health among university students in Sweden, working with 15 institutions of higher education.

We now have 25 000 consenting survey participants in 9 cross-sectional cohorts who are followed-up yearly, and are invited to an RCT on transdiagnostic internet-based Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (ICBT) for depression and anxiety. Although up to half have reduced mental health, only 7% are included in the treatment RCT.

This planning grant enables a) meeting with key stakeholders regarding young adults’ mental health, like student unions, student mental health services and societal stakeholders like the Public Health Agency of Sweden and the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions; b) analyzing existing data to estimate the need for TYD and REACH; and c) conducting initial studies of the interventions to prepare for a larger, coming study to evaluate these short interventions in relation to the ICBT treatment already offered.

We are seeking funding for a research assistant, a primary care PhD-level psychologist, a researcher and meeting support.

With these resources we will also be able to investigate how to offer the interventions to young adults outside higher education.Societal relevance and utilization: Information on mental health problems is easily accessible.

But a large societal challenge remains in terms of offering specific support with easy access, engages, and is effective.

The research idea rises to the challenge by lowering the threshold for short and effective help to reduce mental health symptoms, providing tools that can be used throughout the life course and promote long-term health and wellbeing.

Anchoring the study with key stakeholders and collaborating with them will facilitate dissemination and implementation of our results.