Yoga and Meditation Program (YMP) for the care of mental distress among university students

Abstract

Objective: To report and discuss the implementation of the Yoga and Meditation Program (YMP) as a care strategy aimed at addressing mental distress among university students in the health sciences. Data synthesis: The YMP was developed in 2020 at a university in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, during the COVID-19 pandemic, a period marked by increased psychological distress among university students. The program was grounded in health promotion principles, valuing participants’ singularities and fostering skills for conscious self-care choices. It was structured into two cycles, each consisting of 13 weeks of classes organized according to the theoretical and practical framework of yoga, in dialogue with the Klauss Vianna Technique (KVT), with the aim of expanding body awareness. Practices included breathing exercises, psychophysical postures, concentration, relaxation, meditation, mudrās, mantras, and the ethical principles of the yāmas and nyāmas. To assess the effects of the YMP, the following instruments were applied: the Measure Yourself Medical Outcome Profile (MYMOP) for self-reported symptoms, the Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) for mental distress, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). In addition, flexible semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore the meanings and representations attributed to the practice by participants. Conclusion: The assessment instruments and participants’ reports indicated reductions in physical and emotional symptoms, mental distress, and perceived stress, as well as improvements in sleep quality. During the period of social isolation, the YMP promoted presence, self-care, and calmness, while strengthening self-awareness, tension management, and care-related skills. Therefore, the YMP proved to be an effective mental health care strategy, with potential for replication in universities to promote the well-being of future health professionals and contribute to healthier and more supportive academic environments.