Mood Lifters for Undergraduates (ML-UP)

Large-scale, effective, low-cost, and evidence-based programs that can nimbly translate new research discoveries into prevention and care for psychosocial-based problems are urgently needed since the vast majority of people who need evidence-based care do not receive it. The purpose of this randomized control trial is to investigate the feasibility and efficacy of a Mood Lifters group template specifically for undergraduate students. Mood Lifters is an effective peer-led program that improves or maintains mental health. It seeks to help people enhance pleasure, engagement, and meaning in their lives while minimizing depression, fear, loneliness, and other negative feelings via a proprietary peer-based program that offers weekly meetings and other flexible support options. One obstacle to providing mental health care in the US is that it is costly to provide one-on-one therapy by a licensed professional. This is particularly true in large group settings with limited resources (counseling centers) and a large need for mental health care, like universities.

Individuals in this arm will be invited to take part in the Mood Lifters program after they complete post-treatment surveys as part of the control group.

Participants will need to attend 14 hour-long virtual weekly meetings on Zoom that focus on helpful mental health strategies and skills. Participants will be encourage to practice what they learn at home in order to improve their mood or mental wellness.

Assesses Depressive Symptoms (Range 0-27; higher scores indicate more significant symptoms of depression)

Inclusion: undergraduate students at least 18 years of age Exclusion criteria include: active suicidal thoughts or behavior active psychosis borderline personality disorder active mania unwillingness to attend all sessions or treatment types (e.g., unwillingness to attend remote) non-undergraduate students.