ESP-4323

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2026-01-21

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Vol. 11 No. 1 (2026): Publishing

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Research Articles

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Copyright (c) 2026 Sanjida Khan*, Sayema Rahman Rathi

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How to Cite

Khan, S., & Sayema Rahman Rathi. (2026). Impact of a mental health promotion initiative on university students: A non-randomized controlled pre-post study. Environment and Social Psychology, 11(1), ESP-4323. https://doi.org/10.59429/esp.v11i1.4323

Impact of a mental health promotion initiative on university students: A non-randomized controlled pre-post study

Sanjida Khan

Department of Psychology, Jagannath University, 9-10 Chittaranjan Ave, Dhaka 1100, Bangladesh ; Monash University, Sunway campus, Sunway City, 47500, Malaysia

Sayema Rahman Rathi

Department of Psychology, Jagannath University, 9-10 Chittaranjan Ave, Dhaka 1100, Bangladesh


DOI: https://doi.org/10.59429/esp.v11i1.4323


Keywords: mental health literacy; stigma; help-seeking; promotion program; university students; Bangladesh

Abstract

The systematic evaluation of mental health promotion initiatives for university students in Bangladesh, a population vulnerable to psychological challenges, remains limited. This study examined the effectiveness of a student-focused program addressing mental health literacy, stigma, and help-seeking behaviors. Using a non-randomized, controlled pre-post design, 103 students (Mage = 18.40 ± 0.62 years) were allocated to experimental (n = 44) and control (n = 59) groups following open participation. Validated Bangla-translated scales measured outcomes at baseline, post-program, and follow-up. The experimental group received a brief, co-designed intervention involving students and professionals. Findings revealed significant post-program gains in literacy, help-seeking intentions, and attitudes, with reductions in stigma that persisted through the three-month follow-up. While positive attitudes toward help-seeking declined over time, experimental participants showed greater improvements across all outcomes compared to controls at follow-up. These results highlight the value of structured promotion initiatives and the need for strategies to sustain long-term benefits.

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