JMIR Res Protoc. 2026 Feb 25. doi: 10.2196/84637. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Background Research indicates that university students experience higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression (SAD) than the general population. In Uganda, existing psychological interventions for addressing SAD among students are primarily delivered face to face, which limits effective diagnosis and treatment due to stigma, a shortage of counsellors, and long waiting times, which contribute to significant unmet mental health needs. Consequently, there is an urgent need for innovative approaches to improve access to mental health services.
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of a supportive text-message program (Wellness4Students) in reducing the prevalence of stress, anxiety, and depression among University students in Uganda.
METHODS: This is a quantitative longitudinal research design. We will target 4,494 undergraduate students aged 18-24 years who will be recruited from Makerere University, Uganda. Through advertisements on social media platforms (WhatsApp and X (Twitter)) and websites, students will receive a link to the Wellness4students website with information about the intervention. Eligible students will voluntarily self-subscribe in the wellness4students program by providing their email address. Subscription will be an indicator of consent required for participation in receiving the intervention. Subscribers will receive daily supportive messages for 6 months. Data will be collected from subscribers at baseline (program initiation), 1 month, 3 months (midpoint), and at 6 months (program completion) through web-based surveys. Students will complete questionnaires regarding stress, anxiety, depression, and well-being. We will conduct both descriptive and inferential statistical analyses using STATA version 17.
RESULTS: The results of this study are expected within one year after program initiation. Data will be collected from February 2026 through October 2026. The development of the Wellness4Students application and the survey instrument has been completed. Co-creation of mental health messages with 15 undergraduate students and 2 University psychologists has been completed.
CONCLUSIONS: The wellness4students intervention is feasible. The Wellness4Students program will provide essential insight into the prevalence and correlates of stress, anxiety, and depression among Makerere University students. We will identify students who are most at risk of poor mental health outcomes.
CLINICALTRIAL: Planned to be done later.
PMID:41765755 | DOI:10.2196/84637
