University students experience high rates of psychological distress, highlighting the need for practical, preventative approaches that promote both mental and physical wellbeing. The University of Queensland evaluated ‘Sharper Minds’, a six-week mental health promotion package co-designed with students that combines a weekly self-monitoring tool with short, evidence-based courses (covering physical activity, sleep, healthy eating, social connection, mood regulation and study habits). In a trial of 433 students, those who used both the self-monitoring tool and completed a course were significantly less likely to screen positive for mental health concerns and reported improvements across all wellbeing measures. These findings suggest universities can improve student mental health by embedding scalable, evidence-based programs that encourage healthy behaviours, including regular physical activity, alongside practical self-care skills.
Citation: Dingle, G.A., Han, R., Huang, K., et al. Sharper minds: Feasibility and effectiveness of a mental health promotion package for university students targeting multiple health and self-care behaviours. Journal of Affective Disorders, 2025. (link)
