The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the mental health of university students and employees worldwide. In response to the increased prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms observed during this public health crisis, a Living Lab dedicated to promoting mental health within university settings was established in 2021.

The main objectives of this Living Lab are to:
(a) identify key mental health challenges within Quebec (Canada) university communities;
(b) explore actions, initiatives, and resources that support community mental health;
(c) implement new mental health promotion initiatives; and
(d) evaluate their impact.

This presentation, based on a Canadian case study, provides an overview of the Living Lab’s four years of activity, drawing on the results of three research projects conducted during this period. The first section, based on quantitative survey data collected from 2020 to 2022 (n=6000), identifies the main mental health challenges faced by Quebec university students and employees. The second section, grounded in a qualitative study (n=60), highlights the strengths and limitations of mental health support resources available in university environments. The third section focuses on a specific initiative, the ILUMIN Station, a wellness room implemented on our campus. Drawing on both quantitative and qualitative data collected from over 200 participants, this section explores the implementation process and assesses the initiative’s effectiveness. Building on the findings from these three studies, the presentation concludes with reflections and actionable recommendations for promoting mental health across university campuses.

Keywords: Mental health, COVID-19, higher education, university campuses, living laboratory, wellness room.