The Health Mode On and Health Mode On Plus protocols implement a stepped, integrated model of prevention and care to assess and promote mental wellbeing and healthy lifestyles among Italian university students.
The paper describes a multisite protocol (HMO and HMO+) funded by the Italian Ministry of University and Research, which combines harmonized surveillance with a stepped care model aligned with the WMH-ICS framework. It includes a cross-sectional survey, longitudinal follow-up, and an embedded randomized evaluation of digital cognitive-behavioral therapy (e-CBT) versus counseling-as-usual for students with anxiety risk. Primary outcomes are DSM-5 disorder status and safety outcomes, with secondary outcomes including sleep, physical activity, and other lifestyle factors.
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The Health Mode On and Health Mode On Plus protocols implement a stepped, integrated model of prevention and care to assess and promote mental wellbeing and healthy lifestyles among Italian university students. The current body of evidence comprises 1 study. EvidenceHub rates the overall confidence at 32/100 (low).
The Claim
The Health Mode On and Health Mode On Plus protocols implement a stepped, integrated model of prevention and care to assess and promote mental wellbeing and healthy lifestyles among Italian university students.
This conclusion is most relevant to: Italian university students across five universities, four AFAM institutes, and one Scuola Superiore Universitaria..
What the Research Shows
The conclusion draws on 1 linked study. Highlights from the cited literature:
- ▸Health Mode On and Health Mode On Plus: a multisite protocol to assess and promote mental wellbeing and healthy lifestyles among Italian university students. (Frontiers in public health, 2026) —
How It Works
The proposed biological pathway:
- ▸Step 1: Implement cross-sectional census-style online survey to assess mental health and lifestyle.
- ▸Step 2: Provide integrated counseling pathway and Virtual Academy for staff and student mentors.
- ▸Step 3: Offer e-CBT or counseling-as-usual to students with anxiety risk profile.
- ▸Result: Improved mental wellbeing and healthy lifestyles through coordinated prevention and care.
Who Might Benefit
Evidence fit by population:
- ▸Italian university students across five universities, four AFAM institutes, and one Scuola Superiore Universitaria.
Recommended Dose
N/A
Limitations & Caveats
Important context when interpreting this evidence:
- ▸The paper is a protocol description, not a results report, so no efficacy data are provided.
- ▸The embedded e-CBT trial is only for students with anxiety risk, limiting generalizability to other conditions.
- ▸Accelerometry for physical activity is only in subsamples, potentially limiting objective data completeness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Health Mode On protocol?▼
Health Mode On is a multisite protocol funded by the Italian Ministry of University and Research that implements a cross-sectional survey and an integrated counseling pathway to assess and promote mental wellbeing and healthy lifestyles among Italian university students.
What is the difference between Health Mode On and Health Mode On Plus?▼
Health Mode On Plus adds a 12-month re-contact, objective lifestyle sub-studies, and a strengthened shared digital platform for first-contact intake, triage, and orientation to services, compared to the cross-sectional Health Mode On.
What are the primary outcomes measured in this study?▼
Primary outcomes are 12-month and lifetime DSM-5 disorder status (mood, anxiety, trauma, OCD, eating, ADHD, substance use) and safety outcomes including suicidal ideation, planning, and non-suicidal self-injury.
What is the embedded randomized evaluation in this protocol?▼
Students with an anxiety risk profile may be offered participation in a two-arm randomized evaluation comparing digital cognitive-behavioral therapy (e-CBT) versus counseling-as-usual.
References
- 1.Vigezzi GP, Mosconi G, Albini G, Brusaferro S, Carli A, Emdin M, Faggiano F, Ogliari A, Raglio A, Rizzo C, Rossi E, Odone A. “Health Mode On and Health Mode On Plus: a multisite protocol to assess and promote mental wellbeing and healthy lifestyles among Italian university students..” Frontiers in public health, 2026. PMID: 42553706 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1786142