University students face growing demand for accessible mental health support, but questions remain about whether digital services can deliver meaningful outcomes in routine care. Macquarie University evaluated an internet‑delivered cognitive behavioural therapy program offered through the university’s counselling service for students experiencing anxiety and depression. Over five years, the study found significant reductions in both anxiety and depression symptoms, with more than half of participants achieving clinically meaningful improvement and reporting high satisfaction. These findings indicate that well‑designed digital mental health programs can effectively complement traditional counselling, easing face-to-face service pressure and improving access to evidence‑based support for students.
Citation: Dear, B.F., Heriseanu, A.I., Johnson, B., et. al. Implementation trial II: Clinical outcomes and acceptability of an internet-delivered intervention for anxiety and depression delivered as part of routine care for university students in Australia, Internet Interventions, 2024. (link)