Promoting Mental Well-Being Through Creative Practices in Higher Education

Higher education institutions across the world are witnessing a steady rise in student stress, emotional exhaustion, disengagement, and mental health challenges. Academic pressure, competitive learning environments, digital overload, and reduced opportunities for self expression have significantly impacted students' psychological well-being. This chapter explores how creative practices such as visual arts, music, movement, drama, storytelling, and reflective creative activities can foster emotional regulation, mindfulness, resilience, and holistic development among university students.The chapter presents a conceptual understanding of creative engagement as a supportive pedagogical and developmental tool. It further examines how creative practices can be integrated into academic spaces to address stress, burnout, and disengagement while nurturing self-awareness and flourishing. By positioning creativity as both a preventive and promotive approach, this chapter contributes to ongoing discussions on building mentally healthy, human-centered higher education environments.