Mental Health Safety Net: Implementing Peer Support for Students in Psychological Crisis

Abstract Issue University students are often affected by mental health burdens. This poses a public health challenge and impacts academic success and future career prospects. Early, sustainable, low-threshold interventions are essential. Description of the problem Can peer support be integrated into university health systems as a sustainable, low-threshold intervention? At the University of Luebeck (5,132 students), a structured mental health support system (Mental Health Safety Net) was designed and implemented to assist students in psychological crises. This system enables students in distress to seek guidance from trained peer support providers, who offer appropriate psychological assistance. To ensure quality and effectiveness, peer support providers receive supervision from qualified experts. The awareness of the Mental Health Safety Net among students is being evaluated by the Luebeck University Students Trial (LUST), which has been monitoring students’ mental health for 14 years. Results In June 2023, 1,312 students participated in LUST; 65% were aware of the Mental Health Safety Net. Fourteen students were recruited to provide peer support and received nine requests in 2024. All clients were informed about psychological support services and referred when necessary. Lessons This intervention illustrates how participatory, accessible, and sustainable mental health strategies can be embedded into university structures. The integration of long-term needs assessments with peer-based support is an innovative model for German higher education. Its adaptability makes it transferable to other universities. Key messages • Peer-based support can be successfully implemented as a sustainable, low-threshold intervention. • Participatory mental health strategies are transferable across universities.