Examining the Role of Mental Health Interventions in Enhancing Student Retention Rates in State Universities

This paper explores the role of mental health interventions in enhancing students’ retention in state universities and colleges (SUCs), highlighting the importance of early interventions in addressing the issue at hand. The researcher employs the PSALSAR and PRISMA framework to arrive at a systematic literature review for data brevity and depth. Additionally, the researcher also reviews the various and relevant reports, literature, and published works from different sources thereby widening the scope to draw more relevant results.

mental health, State Universities

1. Tayco, R. O., Supat, P. S., & Estrope, C. P. (2022). Employability of a State Universi-ty Graduates in the Philippines. Sustaina-ble Development, 10(1), 61-69. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Lomer, S., & Lim, M. A. (2022). Understanding issues of ‘justice’in ‘free higher education’: policy, legislation, and implications in the Philippines. Policy Reviews in Higher Education, 6(1), 94-123. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. R.A. 10931. (2017) Universal Access to Tertiary Education Act of 2017. Official Gazette. Retrieved from: https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2017/08/03/republic-act-no-10931/ [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department (CPBRD). (2024). No. 18. Retrieved from: https://cpbrd.congress.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/FF2024-18-Phil-Higher-Education.pdf [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Commission on Higher Education (CHED). (2023). Retrieved from: https://ched.gov.ph/2023-higher-education-facts-and-figures/ [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Commission on Higher Education (CHED). (2023). Retrieved from: https://ched.gov.ph/higher-education-institutions-data/ [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. United Nations. (n.d.). Universal Declaration of Human Rights (English version). Retrieved from: https://www.un.org/sites/un2.un.org/files/2021/03/udhr.pdf [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. ISM, Inc. (n.d.). Understanding the impact of mental health on academic performance. Retrieved from: https://isminc.com/advisory/publications/the-source/understanding-impact-mental-health-academic-performance [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Newport Institute. (n.d.). Perfectionism and mental health. Retrieved from: https://www.newportinstitute.com/resources/co-occurring-disorders/perfectionism-mental-health/ [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Pérez-Jorge, D., Boutaba-Alehyan, M., González-Contreras, A. I., & Pérez-Pérez, I. (2025). Examining the effects of academic stress on student well-being in higher education. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 12(1), 1-13. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Deng, Y., Cherian, J., Khan, N. U. N., Kumari, K., Sial, M. S., Comite, U., ... & Popp, J. (2022). Family and academic stress and their impact on students' depression level and academic performance. Frontiers in psychiatry, 13, 869337. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Córdova Olivera, P., Gasser Gordillo, P., Naranjo Mejía, H., La Fuente Taborga, I., Grajeda Chacón, A., & Sanjinés Unzueta, A. (2023). Academic stress as a predictor of mental health in university students. Cogent Education, 10(2), 2232686. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Quincho, F. S., Rodríguez Galán, D. B., Farfán Pimentel, J. F., Yolanda Josefina, H. F., Arenas, R. D., Crispín, R. L., & Navarro, E. R. (2021). Academic Stress in University Students: Systematic Review. Ilkogretim Online, 20(5). [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Pavel, C.R., Lozano, P.P., Enríquez, E.L. J., & Ramos, G.C. (2021). Academic Stress in University Students: A Systematic Review from 2020 to 2021 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Wang, J., Chen, Y., Chen, H., Hua, L., Wang, J., Jin, Y., ... & Yao, Y. (2023). The mediating role of coping strategies between depression and social support and the moderating effect of the parent–child relationship in college students returning to school: During the period of the regular prevention and control of COVID-19. Frontiers in psychology, 14, 991033. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Guzmán-Utreras, E., Baeza-Ugarte, C. G., & Morales-Navarro, M. (2023). Vivencias académicas y salud mental en tres cohortes universitarias bajo emergencia covid-19. Revista Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales, Niñez y Juventud, 21(2), 1-22. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Hamo-ay, C. M. G. D., & Salapa, A. C. (2025). The Anti-Discrimination Ordinance of Davao City: A Systematic Literature Review. The Anti-Discrimination Ordinance of Davao City: A Systematic Literature Review, 164(1), 15-15. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., ... & Moher, D. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. bmj, 372. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. Boers, M. (2018). Graphics and statistics for cardiology: designing effective tables for presentation and publication. Heart, 104(3), 192-200. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

20. Mayo‐Wilson, E., Li, T., Fusco, N., Dickersin, K., & MUDS investigators. (2018). Practical guidance for using multiple data sources in systematic reviews and meta‐analyses (with examples from the MUDS study). Research synthesis methods, 9(1), 2-12. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

21. Stovold, E., Beecher, D., Foxlee, R., & Noel-Storr, A. (2014). Study flow diagrams in Cochrane systematic review updates: an adapted PRISMA flow diagram. Systematic reviews, 3(1), 54. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

22. Mengist, W., Soromessa, T., & Legese, G. (2020). Method for conducting systematic literature review and meta-analysis for environmental science research. MethodsX, 7, 100777. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

23. Mengist, W., Soromessa, T., & Legese, G. (2020). Ecosystem services research in mountainous regions: A systematic literature review on current knowledge and research gaps. Science of the Total Environment, 702, 134581. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

24. Cubero, G.D., Pingcas, D.M.F., Gerarman, S.M.D. (2024). GRADUATE’S EMPLOYABILITY: A TRACER STUDY FOR SECOND BATCH OF GRADUATES IN DAVAO DE ORO STATE COLLEGE – NEW BATAAN BRANCH. PSYCHOLOGY AND EDUCATION: A MULTIDISCIPLINARY JOURNAL, 18(4),391-402. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.10896226. Retrieved from: chrome- extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://scimatic.org/storage/journals/11/p dfs/2724.pdf [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

25. Philippe, T. J., Sikder, N., Jackson, A., Koblanski, M. E., Liow, E., Pilarinos, A., & Vasarhelyi, K. (2022). Digital health interventions for delivery of mental health care: systematic and comprehensive meta-review. JMIR mental health, 9(5), e35159. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

26. Richter, A., Sjunnestrand, M., Romare Strandh, M., & Hasson, H. (2022). Implementing school- based mental health services: A scoping review of the literature summarizing the factors that affect implementation. International journal of environmental research and public health, 19(6), 3489. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

27. Serrano, I. M. A., Cuyugan, A. M. N., Cruz, K., Mahusay, J. M. A., & Alibudbud, R. (2023). Sociodemographic characteristics, social support, and family history as factors of depression, anxiety, and stress among young adult senior high school students in metro Manila, Philippines, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Frontiers in psychiatry, 14, 1225035. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

28. Argao, R. C. C., Reyes, M. E. S., & Delariarte, C. F. (2021). Mental health literacy and mental health of Filipino college students. North American Journal of Psychology, 23(3), 437- 452. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

29. Hamaideh, S. H., Al‐Modallal, H., Tanash, M. A., & Hamdan‐Mansour3, A. (2022). Depression, anxiety and stress among undergraduate students during COVID‐19 outbreak and" home‐ quarantine". Nursing Open, 9(2), 1423-1431. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

30. Wu, J. R., Chan, F., Iwanaga, K., Myers, O. M., Ermis-Demirtas, H., & Bloom, Z. D. (2025). The transactional theory of stress and coping as a stress management model for students in Hispanic-serving universities. Journal of American College Health, 1-8. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

31. Lazarus, R. S., & Folkman, S. (1987). Transactional theory and research on emotions and coping. European Journal of personality, 1(3), 141-169. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

32. Mansour, L. (2024). Mental Health Promotion in University Students: A Systematic Review of Mental Health Interventions Strategies and Implementations. PQDT-Global. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

33. Banaag, R., Sumodevilla, J. L., & Potane, J. (2024). Factors affecting student drop out behavior: A systematic review. International journal of educational management and innovation, 5(1), 53-70. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

34. Rungduin, T., Miranda, P., & Espinosa, A. (2023). A Scoping Review of Mental Health Programs in Philippine Higher Educational Institutions under a Pandemic. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

35. Baldo, G. M. L., Corowan, K. D., Milladas, J. M. V., Flores, K. P. D., & Genelza, G. G. (2025). Turning a Blind Eye: A systematic literature review on spreading awareness of teenage pregnancy. International Journal of Human Research and Social Science Studies, 2(04), 201-221. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

36. Rochel, S. L. (2024). Veteran Public Secondary Teachers’ Lived Experiences Describing Challenges and Changes Ending Their Career: A Descriptive Phenomenological Study. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

37. Ferguson, L., Gruskin, S., Bolshakova, M., Rozelle, M., Yagyu, S., Kasoka, K., ... & Hempel, S. (2023). Systematic review and quantitative and qualitative comparative analysis of interventions to address HIV-related stigma and discrimination. AIDS, 37(13), 1919- 1939. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

38. Balladares, E., Bernados, C., Diamante, S. M., Jabeniao, R., Tagotongan, V., & Casiño, M. V. (2025). Opportunities and Challenges of Financially Challenged Grade 6 Learners. Journal of Interdisciplinary Perspectives, 3(8), 657-670. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

39. Asanjarani, F. (2023). Academic Well-Being Among Emerging Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An International Overview. Emerging Adulthood in the COVID-19 Pandemic and Other Crises: Individual and Relational Resources, 219-234. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

40. Jain, L., Velez, L., Karlapati, S., Forand, M., Kannali, R., Yousaf, R. A., ... & Ahmed, S. (2025). Exploring Problematic TikTok Use and Mental Health Issues: A Systematic Review of Empirical Studies. Journal of primary care & community health, 16, 21501319251327303. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

41. Subosa, M. R. (2021). Conceptualising teacher resilience: A comparative systematic multidisciplinary review of teacher resilience literature. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

42. Castro, F. G., & Kessler, R. (2021). Cultural factors in prevention. Handbook of evidence-based prevention of behavioral disorders in integrated care: A stepped care approach, 51-81. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

43. Purgato, M., Prina, E., Ceccarelli, C., Cadorin, C., Abdulmalik, J. O., Amaddeo, F., ... & Barbui, C. (2023). Primary‐level and community worker interventions for the prevention of mental disorders and the promotion of well‐being in low‐and middle‐income countries. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (10). [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

44. Dorji, K., Norbu, P., Lhendup, U., & Rai, B. R. (2023). Class schedules from international practices to the Bhutanese context: A review of literature. Mediterranean Journal of Social & Behavioral Research, 7(2), 51-57. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

45. LO, T. W., CHAN, G., LEE, G., SO, E., & TAM, C. (2024). Literature Review on Drug Abuse Research. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

46. Wilson Fadiji, A., Wildschut, A., Cromhout, A., & Shoko, P. (2025). Investigating the Relationship between Well-Being, Engagement and Learning Experiences among South African Publicly Funded Students in Higher Education. Psychological Studies, 1-14. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

47. McCarthy, M. J. (2021). Increasing Employee Engagement and Satisfaction Through Positive Interventions for Human Flourishing. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

48. Vahedi, L., Qushua, N., Seff, I., Doering, M., Stoll, C., Bartels, S. A., & Stark, L. (2023). [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

49. Methodological and ethical implications of using remote data collection tools to measure sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence outcomes among women and girls in humanitarian and fragile settings: a mixed methods systematic review of peer-reviewed research. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 24(4), 2498-2529. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

50. Nash, A., Kennedy, H., Abraczinskas, M., Ballonoff Suleiman, A., & Ozer, E. J. (2024). Examining the intersection of sociopolitical development and transformative social and emotional learning outcomes: an integrated approach in youth participatory action research. Youth, 4(2), 679-699. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

51. Azad Noor, N. (2022). Revolutionizing work from home and the contribution of human resources management in times of COVID-19. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

52. Farre, A., Shinwell, S., Cumming, S., Buchannan, P., Gavine, A., Marshall, J. L., ... & McFadden, A. (2024). Factors affecting the implementation of effective interventions to support women to breastfeed: a systematic review and mixed methods synthesis. Maternal and Child Nutrition, 20(S1), 17-18. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

53. Reid, M. R., Danguecan, A. N., Colindres, I., Witherspoon, D., Rubinstein, T. B., Drenkard, C., ... & Cunningham, N. R. (2023). An ecological approach to understanding and addressing health inequities of systemic lupus erythematosus. Lupus, 32(5), 612-624. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

54. Schilpzand, P., Lagios, C., & Restubog, S. L. D. (2025). Family first: An integrative conceptual review of nepotism in organizations. Human Resource Management, 64(1), 157-180. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

55. Meyer, F. Georgia Rudd: Conceptualization, Methodology, Formal Analysis, Investigation, Data curation, Writing–Original Draft, Visualization Kane Meissel: Conceptualization, Methodology, Writing–Review & Editing, Supervision. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

56. Heath, S., Hudson, S., Abd Aziz, N., Crawford, R., Taylor, P., Kabbar, E., ... & Topp, M. (2024). Aotearoa New Zealand student nurses’ perceptions of working in aged care: August 2024. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

57. Ibarra-Gambrill, J. (2021). Need Not Apply: A Systematic Literature Review Re-Evaluating English Prestige and Its Retribution On Foreign English Language Leaders And Their Learners’ Identity. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

58. Bérastégui, P. (2021). Exposure to psychosocial risk factors in the gig economy: a systematic review (No. 2021.01). Report. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

59. Garlasco, J., Koripalli, M., & Bridge, G. (2023). Public health interventions to promote oral health and well-being in patients with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review. Population Medicine, 5(Supple). [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

60. Metzner, B. S., & Bean, J. P. (1987). The estimation of a conceptual model of nontraditional undergraduate student attrition. Research in higher education, 27(1), 15-38. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

61. Nuuyoma, E. (2025). Revisiting Tinto's Student Integration Theory: A Framework for Understanding Doctoral Student Attrition and Enhancing Retention Strategies. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS). [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• Assessment of the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Repositioning TVET for Economic Development in Nigeria
• Teachers’ Use of Assure Model Instructional Design on Learners’ Problem Solving Efficacy in Secondary Schools in Bungoma County, Kenya
• “E-Booksan Ang Kaalaman”: Development, Validation, and Utilization of Electronic Book in Academic Performance of Grade 9 Students in Social Studies
• Analyzing EFL University Students’ Academic Speaking Skills Through Self-Recorded Video Presentation
• Major Findings of The Study on Total Quality Management in Teachers’ Education Institutions (TEIs) In Assam – An Evaluative Study