Travis Woods, Christopher Coady, Krista Munroe-Chandler

University students face unique academic and life transitions that contribute to heightened rates of mental health challenges. In response to these increased rates of psychological distress, structured exercise-based mental health interventions, such as the UWorkItOut UWin Program at the University of Windsor, have been implemented. Previous research has demonstrated the effectiveness of such physical activity interventions at improving the well-being of students and have explored participants’ and clinicians’ beliefs regarding physical activity as a self-care strategy. However, less is known about the specific beliefs, perceptions, and attitudes that influence the initiation of referrals and subsequent participation in exercise-based interventions that are embedded within campus mental health systems. Hence, the purpose of the proposed study is to further this line of inquiry by exploring these constructs (beliefs, perceptions, and attitudes) regarding exercise interventions as a first-line mental health treatment strategy and to identify perceived barriers and facilitators to referral and participation. Guided by the pragmatic paradigm and the Capability-Opportunity-Motivation Behavior Model (Michie et al., 2011), this study will employ semi-structured interviews with students and clinicians at the University of Windsor. Data will be analyzed using a six-step reflexive thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2019). Study findings will allow for targeted resources and strategies to enhance referral rates and student uptake, ultimately to increase the reach and impact the UWorkItOut UWin program has on the University of Windsor student population.