Mindfulness como estratégia de cuidado para a saúde mental de universitários

Abstract

This research emerged in response to the increasing demand for mental health support among university students, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic, which intensified symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression in this population. Historically, Psychosocial Care Centers were designed for individuals with severe mental disorders. However, the evolving academic landscape has required adaptations in mental health services. In this context, mindfulness presents itself as a viable alternative, supported by scientific evidence demonstrating its positive impact on emotional regulation, stress reduction, and resilience development. General objective: To analyze mindfulness practices as a care strategy for university students' mental health. Specific Objectives: To implement a mindfulness group for nursing students. To assess the influence of mindfulness practices in crisis situations. To promote both formal and informal mindfulness practices in students' daily lives. This study adopted a qualitative and exploratory approach, aiming to understand how mindfulness can be used as a mental health care strategy for university students. Conducted in an academic setting, the research involved implementing a mindfulness group specifically designed for university students. Participants were recruited through open invitations extended to students interested in developing mindfulness practices. The sessions followed established protocols, such as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). Over a defined period, participants engaged in guided meditation, breathing exercises, and body awareness techniques, incorporating both formal and informal mindfulness practices. Data collection was conducted through semi-structured interviews, participant observation, and reflective journal analysis. To ensure methodological rigor, data analysis followed Thematic Content Analysis, identifying patterns and emerging categories related to students' experiences with mindfulness. The findings revealed that mindfulness practice significantly benefited students' mental health, particularly in reducing anxiety, stress, and depressive symptoms. Participants reported that, throughout the sessions, they developed greater emotional awareness and self-perception, enhanced self-regulation skills, enabling a more balanced response to academic challenges, improved stress management strategies, contributing to greater overall well-being and academic performance. The study concludes that mindfulness is an effective and applicable strategy for promoting university students' mental health. It serves as a valuable complement to traditional interventions, offering benefits beyond symptom reduction, including improved quality of life, increased emotional resilience, and greater academic well-being.