Promoting mental health in higher education students: a pilot study

Abstract Introduction The mental health and well-being of higher education students is a relevant topic today, given the high prevalence of mental disorders and their increasing trend. Therefore, it is imperative to develop health education programs that aim to develop strategies to promote psychological well-being and reduce suffering in this population. Objectives To develop and implement a mental health promotion program, with interventions based on Yoga/meditation and Auriculotherapy, and evaluate its impact on the mental health of higher education students. Methodology Pretest-posttest design, with assessment before (T0), after the intervention (T1) and with a three-month follow-up (T2). Evaluation with the Portuguese version of the Mental Health Inventory (Pais-Ribeiro, 2001), and physiological assessment (heart rate, respiratory rate and blood pressure). 22 students participated in the intervention, randomly divided into two groups: Yoga/meditation group (GY) and Auriculotherapy group (GA), each with 11 students. Results The physiological parameters evaluated showed, in all sessions, a decrease in averages, regardless of the technique implemented. In the assessment at T0 and T1, it was found that there was a significant decrease in the Distress (p = 0.037) and Anxiety (p = 0.031) dimensions. In the evaluation over time (T0, T1 and T2), it was found, regardless of the technique implemented, that the intervention had a positive effect on the mental health of the students. Discussion The results point to the importance of developing mental health promotion programs in higher education.