Improving Nursing Student Awareness and Help-Seeking Through Evidence-Based Mental Health Resource Interventions

BACKGROUND: Undergraduate nursing students frequently experience stress, anxiety, and depression related to academic demands, yet many do not engage with available campus mental health services due to barriers such as stigma, low visibility, time constraints, and access difficulties. This quality improvement (QI) project aimed to enhance awareness and engagement with campus mental health resources among Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students. METHOD: Guided by Pender's Health Promotion Model, this project implemented evidence-based interventions, including QR code advertisements and an educational seminar focused on mental health awareness, stigma reduction, and help-seeking behaviors. Anonymous pre- and post-intervention surveys were completed by 71 BSN students and analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Findings demonstrated increased familiarity with campus mental health resources, a 77% reduction in lack of awareness as a barrier, and improved comfort and confidence in seeking support. CONCLUSION: Low-cost, scalable strategies can improve visibility, reduce barriers, and support student well-being.