Heading off to college often brings a great deal of change, and with it, significant stress. A program developed at the University of Washington, the Be REAL (REsilient Attitudes and Living), program may help. Be REAL is designed to promote the well-being of high-school age youth, college students, and staff, and its effectiveness is supported by research.

College Student Stress and Mental Health

College students often face a range of stresses including financial and academic pressures, a new environment, new responsibilities and more independence. A 2025 survey of 1,100 incoming freshmen students found that they are prioritizing mental health and social connection along with academic preparation. Among the incoming students, 65% had already received therapy before starting college and 83% expect to use or are open to using campus mental health services (TimelyCare 2025). In 2024, 34% of college students reported having been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives (with 29% currently experiencing symptoms) and almost 20% were experiencing serious psychological distress (ACHA, 2024 Fall Assessment). Anxiety continued to be the most common concern among students seeking help through campus counseling centers (CCMH 2024).

According to a recent national survey from the Lumina Foundation and Gallop, about one in three students said they have considered leaving college temporarily, and emotional stress and mental health are the top reasons. Among students who have left college temporarily, 31% cite emotional stress as the reason.

Be REAL Program Promotes Well-Being

Be REAL promotes the well-being of teens and college students by equipping them with cognitive behavior skills to manage emotions and cope with challenging situations, mindfulness skills to strengthen self-awareness, and practices that promote compassion for themselves and others. The program involves six weekly 90-minute sessions with group discussions, partner activities, and guided contemplative practices.

In a study of the program published in the journal Integrative and Complementary Medicine 2023, researchers found that students who participated in Be REAL reported significant improvements in self-compassion, flourishing, resilience, emotion regulation, active coping, and social connectedness, and reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression. The benefits were maintained after three months. The authors concluded that program was an effective low-cost preventive approach to addressing mental health challenges in higher education.

Another study published in Frontiers in Psychology in 2021 found the Be REAL program led to improvements in emotion regulation, coping strategies and social connectedness and reductions in stress and anxiety symptoms. While Be REAL is not a substitute for clinical treatment, the authors note, it can help reduce “demand on counseling services and contribute to a campus-wide culture of well-being.”

There is also an alternate version of the program for use by staff and instructors (REAL Pro). A recent study found this program led to improved self-compassion, emotion regulation, and active coping in people working with youth and young adults.

Mindfulness Resources

The Center for Child & Family Well-Being has created resources that anyone can use for mindfulness and self-compassion, including guided audio practices.