Dissertation Title: The Impact of Early Mental Health Education and Interventions Among College Students

Dissertation Chair: Dr. Ashli Owen-Smith

Abstract: 

 The transition to college presents significant mental health challenges for first-year students, marked by heightened rates of anxiety, depression, and stress. Despite increased availability of mental health services, many students fail to seek help proactively, leading to a rising demand for counseling intervention services. This dissertation investigates whether early exposure to mental health education and resources can reduce the need for counseling interventions among college students.

Grounded in the Health Belief Model and Social Cognitive Theory, this study explores how perceptions of mental health, self-efficacy, and social influences impact help-seeking behaviors. A retrospective cohort design was utilized to compare incoming first-year students who received early mental health education through an online mental health education program to their peers from a different university who did not. Data from two Southeast public universities were analyzed, focusing on counseling center utilization and key demographic factors such as race, gender, and socioeconomic status of students.

Key findings are expected to demonstrate that early mental health education reduces the frequency of counseling interventions and highlights demographic factors influencing program effectiveness. These results will provide evidence-based recommendations for designing proactive mental health programs, improving resource allocation, and shaping institutional policies to support student well-being.

This research contributes to the growing body of literature on preventative mental health strategies in higher education, addressing gaps in knowledge about the long-term impact of early interventions. The findings have the potential to inform university practices and promote a culture of proactive mental health support, ultimately enhancing academic success and student retention.