Supporting college student mental health: a pilot investigation into an accessible intervention

Mood Lifters for College Students (ML-CS) is a virtual, group-based, peer-led mental health program designed to address common stressors faced by undergraduate college students. This study was conducted to gain a preliminary understanding of the efficacy, feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness of Mood Lifters before conducting a large, randomized control trial. After screening and randomization, 31 participants were placed into a treatment group and 16 were placed on the waitlist. Participant in both groups completed pre- and post-surveys measuring symptoms of depression, anxiety, and flourishing. Participants in the treatment group completed feedback surveys. Treatment group participants showed significant reductions in feelings of anxiety and depression as compared to their waitlist peers. Feedback measures suggested that ML-CS is feasible, acceptable, and appropriate for this population. The preliminary results of this pilot study show great potential and suggest the need for a large-scale randomized control trial.