The mental health of university students has become a global concern. In Spain, only 38% of young people consider themselves happy, a figure much lower than in other European countries such as the Netherlands, where 74% of young people say they are happy .

We recently designed an intervention program based on positive psychology to increase optimism and reduce symptoms of depression in first-year students studying criminology and psychology.

Focus on the positive

For 15 weeks, participants completed practical activities within their regular academic schedule. These included writing three positive thoughts each day, identifying their personal strengths, writing gratitude letters, and practicing mindfulness (a type of meditation also called “mindfulness”).

Our intervention responds to existing evidence suggesting that positive psychology-based interventions, such as gratitude or identifying strengths, have a sustained positive effect on well-being . Positive psychology emerged in the late 1990s, driven by American psychologist Martin Seligman , and focuses on identifying personal strengths and increasing positive emotions and meaning in life. Several scientific studies demonstrate its effectiveness in student populations in reducing depression and promoting optimism, resilience, and academic performance.

Our program, called Hallenges , was integrated directly into the academic curriculum to facilitate its adoption as a group by all students. This collective dynamic is key in adolescence and early adulthood, where a sense of belonging and group identification are relevant psychosocial factors . Implementing these interventions as a group enhances cohesion, vicarious learning, and the normalization of emotional care practices.

Fewer depressive symptoms

After the 15-month project period, we conducted an outcome evaluation. Validated psychometric instruments were used to measure optimism and symptoms of depression, administered to both participants and a control group that did not receive the intervention.

Students who participated in the positive psychology program experienced a significant increase in their level of optimism and a clear reduction in symptoms of depression compared to the control group.

Although the positive impact on emotional well-being is evident, no notable improvements were observed in perseverance toward long-term goals. This component, known as grit , is a key value for personal and professional fulfillment, but requires longer-term interventions or those focused on developing habits and goals. Complementary programs, such as personal strategic planning or mentoring, may be more effective in this regard.

The study also highlights that these types of interventions are low-cost, easy to implement, and, crucially, non-stigmatizing, a key aspect in encouraging youth participation.

A necessary change in uncertain times

We live in a hyperconnected world that we perceive as changing and unstable. This is the so-called “BANI” environment (an acronym for fragile, anxious, nonlinear, and incomprehensible), proposed by Jamais Cascio to understand the current uncertainty and its psychological impacts, especially on young people.

The BANI environment poses new challenges for the mental health of younger generations. Programs like Hallenges demonstrate that it is possible to strengthen students’ emotional well-being from university onwards, fostering resilience and optimism skills that will be essential in their personal and professional lives.

However, further research is essential: expanding the sample to include other student profiles, conducting long-term follow-ups, and incorporating new variables such as personality or technology use into these programs.

Author Bio: Elisenda Tarrats Pons is a Research Professor of leadership and organizational psychology at the University of Vic – Central University of Catalonia