AUTHOR=Banda Pal , Czako Katalin , Maughan Geraldine 
  
TITLE=Assessing the availability and impact of stress management interventions at higher education institutions: a systematic review
  
JOURNAL=Public Health Reviews
  
VOLUME=Volume 47 - 2026
  
YEAR=2026
  
URL=https://www.ssph-journal.org/journals/public-health-reviews/articles/10.3389/phrs.2026.1607815
  
DOI=10.3389/phrs.2026.1607815
  
ISSN=2107-6952
  
ABSTRACT=Objectives: This systematic literature review evaluates the availability and impact of stress management interventions on mental well-being within higher education institutions (HEIs). Methods: A systematic review of literature was conducted across Scopus, PubMed and PsycINFO, applying the PRISMA method. Data extraction was performed manually based on pre-defined criteria. Data synthesis focuses on research design, methodology, geographical coverage, and outcomes of the interventions. Results: Thirty-two research papers met the selection criteria, exhibiting diversity in methodologies, study designs, types of interventions, outcomes, and limitations. Common patterns included a predominance of student-focused interventions and notable gaps in addressing the mental health needs of academic and administrative staff members of HEIs. Conclusions: Despite a wide range of approaches have been employed to address the mental well-being of students in higher education, comprehensive interventions for staff members are lacking. Additionally, there is a critical need for future research to incorporate insights and data from non-Western contexts as well, such as the CEE region, to ensure the relevance and applicability of intervention strategies across diverse cultural and socio-economic contexts.