Mental health promotion and suicide prevention in emerging adulthood: importance of psychoeducational interventions in University students

Abstract

Emerging adulthood is a stage that involves significant changes in emotional, social, academic, and work domains, which can often lead to high levels of stress and mental health challenges. The purpose of this study is to explore the potential benefits of an online intervention program that is based on mental health psychoeducation and suicide risk prevention for emerging adults who are studying at university. A psychoeducational intervention was conducted with 567 participants, of whom 82.2% were female, aged between 18 and 29 years (M = 20.31; SD = 2.089). The study examines the intervention’s direct impact on adaptive knowledge of suicide risk and mental health, as well as its indirect effect on mental health indicators. The results showed that after the intervention, participants exhibited reduced stigma associated with mental health and suicide, improved knowledge, and more adaptive attitudes towards suicide. Significant changes were observed in various psychological variables, including self-esteem, resilience, emotional regulation, anxiety, depression, stress, and suicide risk, in the expected direction. These findings suggest that integrating psychoeducational interventions and suicide prevention programs into university curricula could promote mental well-being and address suicide risk among emerging adult students.