Wellbeing at Scale – Effectiveness of Two Versions of the Be Well Plan for Mental Health and Wellbeing in University Students

The intervention is the Be Well Plan program, an evidence based mental health and wellbeing program. The Be Well Plan is a five week program introducing participants to a range of evidence-based skills and activities (derived from a large meta-analysis) to assist mental wellbeing. These include, for example, self-compassion, mindfulness, and thought challenging. Participants will be randomised into the Flipped Classroom Format (intervention). The Flipped Classroom Format (intervention) entails participants completing one-hour of self-paced pre-session activities on psychological concepts, followed by attending a weekly one-hour facilitated group session with approximately 5-30 participants (in-person or online) over five weeks. The group sessions are delivered by trained Be Well Plan facilitators, all of whom are researchers and/or psychologists and who have received accreditation to deliver the program from Be Well Co. The Flipped Classroom pre-session material includes watching pre-recorded videos (approximately 30-minutes), accessed online via a learning management system (CANVAS), and completing the Be Well Plan workbook activities and reflections (approximately 30-minutes). These activities aim to build on the content covered during each Be Well Plan session and may include reflecting on personal strengths and values, and identifying sources of meaning in one's life. Participants will also be required to practise evidence-based wellbeing activities of their choice in their Be Well Plan, that they are taught in the program to start building habits. These activities, for example, include practising mindfulness meditation, completing a daily mindful walk or cultivating personal strengths in daily activities. Participants will be enrolled in the Be Well Plan course on CANVAS and the videos and activities are released each week to align with the sessions. The content of the of the flipped classroom format includes the following: Week 1: Pre-session: The video content covers - An introduction to the Be Well Plan, theories and an understanding of mental health and wellbeing, and an introduction to mindfulness and guided mindfulness activities. The Be Well Plan workbook includes reflections on the participants learnings from the videos and participants unique Be Well Plan which is created each week from the mental wellbeing activities participants choose. Group Session 1: The participants then join a weekly one-hour facilitated group session (in-person or online) which involves reflections and discussions on the pre-session materials and reviewing their Be Well Plan for that week. Week 2: Pre-session: The video content covers - A Reflection on last week, an introduction to self-compassion, and an understanding of participants current mental health profile. The Be Well Plan workbook includes reflections on the participants learnings from the videos, self-compassion exercises, and participants unique Be Well Plan. Group Session 2: The participants then join a weekly one-hour facilitated group session (in-person or online) which involves reflections and discussions on the pre-session materials and reviewing their Be Well Plan for that week. Week 3: Pre-session: The video content covers - A reflection on last week, understanding resources, strengths, and challenges, and setting priorities for working on mental wellbeing. The Be Well Plan workbook includes reflections on the participants learnings from the videos, understanding their own strengths and challenges, and completing participants Be Well Plan. Group Session 3: The participants then join a weekly one-hour facilitated group session (in-person or online) which involves reflections and discussions on the pre-session materials and reviewing their Be Well Plan for that week. Week 4: Pre-session: The video content covers - A reflection on last week, understanding stress, introducing coping styles, cognitive strategies for managing stress (e.g., thought defusion) and when to seek additional support for mental health. The Be Well Plan workbook includes reflections on the participants learnings from the videos, understanding their own coping styles, and completing their Be Well Plan. Group Session 4: The participants then join a weekly one-hour facilitated group session (in-person or online) which involves reflections and discussions on the pre-session materials and reviewing their Be Well Plan for that week. Week 5: Pre-session: The video content covers - A reflection on the Be Well Plan program, introducing realistic optimism and positive re-framing, and setting mental wellbeing goals for the future. The Be Well Plan workbook includes reflections on the participants learnings from the videos, setting mental health goals and reflecting on how to continue their Be Well Plan once the program finishes. Group Session 5: The participants then join the final weekly one-hour facilitated group session (in-person or online) which involves reflections and discussions on the pre-session materials and reviewing how they can continue using their Be Well Plan once the program ends. Adherence will be monitored using adherence checklists at each session, and sending a follow up email to participants who did not attend the group session.