University students who completed an 8-week mindfulness course (Mindfulness Skills for Students) plus usual mental health support reported less psychological distress during exams than those receiving usual support alone. In a randomized trial of 616 students at the University of Cambridge, mean distress scores were 0.87 in the mindfulness group versus 1.11 in the control group, a moderate effect. 37% of mindfulness participants had distress above a clinical threshold compared to 57% of controls. On average, six students needed to be offered the course to prevent one from experiencing clinical distress levels. No adverse reactions related to self-harm or suicidality occurred. The findings suggest mindfulness training can be an effective component of a broader student mental health strategy.
A pragmatic randomized controlled trial will test whether an 8-week mindfulness course, offered preventatively to University of Cambridge students free from active crises or severe mental illness, reduces psychological distress during exams and improves resilience to stress for at least one year, compared to usual mental health provision. At least 550 students will be randomly assigned to the course or to standard care. Psychological distress will be measured at baseline, after the intervention, during exams, and at one-year follow-up. The trial will also assess use of mental health services, exam performance, well-being, altruism, and coping. Results will be published in peer-reviewed journals.