Mindfulness-Based Counseling as an Intervention for Reducing Anxiety and Depression Symptoms
Journal of Education Humanities and Social Sciences February 5, 2026 DOI: 10.54097/q7ggt251 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | College students and people experiencing anxiety and depression |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based counseling (MBSR/MBCT) |
| Dose | 10 minutes a day |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Meditation |
| Key findings | The review reports that mindfulness-based counseling (MBSR/MBCT) reduces anxiety and depression symptoms by 28-35 percent and is as effective as CBT at lower cost, with app-based delivery seen as practical for students. The authors argue that as little as 10 minutes of daily practice can convert overwhelming academic stress into manageable habits and support concentration, emotional stability, and relapse prevention. |
Abstract
In 2025, 1 billion of the world population is considered to experience anxiety and depression, and 32% of college students in the U.S. experience moderate-severe anxiety and 18% have severe depression. Common interventions such as medication and CBT are effective in most cases but turn out to fail 50 percent because of its side effects. Mindfulness-based counseling (MBSR/MBCT) applies basic present moment awareness to decrease symptoms by 28-35. It makes sense that this review of 50+ studies (2024-2025) demonstrates that it is as efficient as CBT and costs less through apps, which is ideal in the case of stressed students. It enhances concentration in exams, consistent energy during hard semesters, and develops a long-term health by ensuring healthier campuses. The students are able to obtain a greater concentration to study, emotional stability to social pressures, and permanence calm to avoid relapses of depression. By spending only 10 minutes a day practicing mindfulness, overwhelming academic stress is transformed into manageable habits, which helps not only achieve daily success but also improve a person psychologically.