Hands On is a set of self-help tools designed to help students cope with stress, anxiety, and depression during those crunch times when expert help isn’t immediately available. Developed under the guidance of psychologists at Chulalongkorn University’s Wellness Center, it targets six psychological capitals—Grit, Mindfulness, Gratitude, Self-compassion, Meaning in Life, and Resilience. Over a 21-day journey, each uniquely crafted tool invites users to roll up their sleeves and build new, healthy habits in their own safe space. While not a substitute for professional help, Hands On offers a practical, hands-on way to boost mental strength and navigate those rough exam weeks with a bit more ease and a lot more self-reliance

Overview

Students today face immense stress, anxiety, and depression due to academic pressure and expectations, especially during exam periods. Chulalongkorn University established the Chula Student Wellness Center to support students’ mental health, but due to overwhelming demand, some students wait over a month for professional help—leaving those in critical need without timely intervention.

Imagine you’re a student. You’re stressed. Exams are coming. Sleep is a myth. Your brain is doing gymnastics between panic and existential dread. You finally reach out for help—only to find out the campus mental health center has a one-month waitlist. Cool cool cool.

Enter Hands On, a set of self-help tools designed to help students build mental resilience while waiting for (or even instead of) professional help. Developed in collaboration with psychologists from Chulalongkorn University’s Wellness Center, this project is based on a simple but powerful idea: Mental strength is a habit—you can train it.

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Solution: Hands On

Through research and analysis, I discovered that not all students need immediate expert consultation—some could benefit from self-help tools that provide basic mental health guidance and coping mechanisms.

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Hands On is a set of interactive self-help tools designed to enhance students' psychological capital, developed under the guidance of psychologists from Chulalongkorn University’s Wellness Center. It is based on the principle that mental resilience can be built in 21 days, encouraging users to strengthen their mental well-being through structured exercises.

Key Features:

• Focuses on six psychological capitals:
  • Grit – Building perseverance and long-term focus
  • Mindfulness – Enhancing self-awareness and present-moment focus
  • Gratitude – Encouraging appreciation and positive perspective
  • Self-Compassion – Cultivating kindness toward oneself
  • Meaning in Life – Strengthening purpose and direction
  • Resilience – Developing emotional adaptability in challenges
• Designed as an independent, interactive self-help journey
• Provides a safe space for users to practice coping strategies
• Not a replacement for professional help but a supportive tool for stress and anxiety management
• Although initially developed for Chulalongkorn University students, it is adaptable for students in other universities or young adults facing similar challenges

Impact & Future Potential

Hands On offers a proactive approach to mental wellness, bridging the gap between professional help and self-care. It empowers students to take mental well-being into their own hands, reducing stress while waiting for specialist support. With further development, Hands On could be expanded into other university settings and tailored to different demographic needs.

Why It Matters

Mental health support shouldn’t be a luxury or a waiting game. While professional help is essential, Hands On ensures that students aren’t left stranded in their struggles. By focusing on practical, research-backed self-help methods, this project empowers students to take control of their well-being—one small habit at a time.

Because sometimes, helping yourself starts with your own two hands. ✋✨

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