Details

Research: Yoga as a Therapeutic Intervention for Student Mental Health

A 2024 randomised controlled trial investigated yoga as a mental health intervention for university students, a population who often face high stress and anxiety. The study recruited 129 students, assigning half to a 12-week yoga program (two 60-minute sessions weekly) and half to a control group. Outcomes measured with validated tools showed that the yoga group experienced significantly lower stress, reduced anxiety, and improved emotional wellbeing. Though effect sizes were modest, the consistency across measures highlights yoga’s value as a simple, scalable strategy for student mental health. Australian universities may consider integrating physical activity, such as yoga, into campus life to support student wellbeing and academic success.

Citation: Castellote-Caballero, Y., Carcelén-Fraile, M. del C., Aibar-Almazán, A., et. al. Yoga as a therapeutic approach to mental health in university students: A randomized controlled trial. Frontiers in Public Health, Volume 12, 2024. (link)

More Articles in Healthy Campus Projects

Creating Safer, More Respectful Campus Communities: RMIT University’s Prevention and Education Approach

How can universities create environments where every student feels safe, respected and supported? RMIT University is taking a comprehensive approach to preventing bullying, discrimination and gender-based violence through a range of interconnected initiatives focused on education, leadership development, support services and community engagement. Grounded in national recommendations and frameworks addressing student safety and gender-based violence, […]

Preparing Students for More Than Competition: La Trobe University’s Holistic Approach to Uni Nationals

How do you prepare students to represent their university, support one another, and stay safe at a major multi-day sporting event? La Trobe University’s 2025 Uni Nationals Participant Training provides a strong example of how sport can be used as a platform for leadership, wellbeing, community responsibility and student safety. Designed for students representing Team […]

FISU Healthy Campus Program Signatories

Keep up to date

Interested in Healthy Campus Content? Sign up to our exclusive mailer.

Join the community

Stay up to date with Healthy Campus news from Australia and around the world.
UniSport acknowledges and pays respect to all traditional custodians of the lands of which we run, jump and throw throughout Australia. We pay respect to elders both past, present and emerging.
Copyright © 2026 UniSport. All Rights Reserved.