Abstract
Mental health of university students is becoming one of the key challenges in global public health. According to the World Health Organization, one in seven adolescents and young people suffers from mental disorders. The majority of these conditions manifest before the age of 24, which often coincides with the university period. In Kazakhstan, the issue is exacerbated by a shortage of preventive programs and concerning epidemiological indicators.Objective: to identify key factors affecting students’ mental health in different regions of Kazakhstan and to compare findings with international public health approaches.Methods. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 359 university students aged 17 to 25 from Astana, Almaty, and Atyrau. The study combined subjective self-assessment (Depression Scale – DOD) and physiological diagnostics using the LOTOS system (HRV-based). The DOD scale is a validated modification of the DEPS tool adapted for Kazakhstan. Results. Among respondents, 42.9% demonstrated mild depression, 20.3% medium, and 8.6% severe. Female students had significantly higher rates of moderate and severe depression compared to males. Regression analysis revealed that fatigue, insomnia, loneliness, and low life satisfaction were the strongest predictors of depression (Adjusted R² = 0.643, p < 0.001). Physical activity was associated with lower depression scores, while students with chronic conditions or alcohol use showed significantly higher levels. Physiological metrics did not predict depression significantly but showed moderate correlation with subjective scores.Conclusion. The most critical markers of deteriorated mental well-being in students are emotional fatigue, sleep problems, and social disconnection. A systematic university-based approach combining physiological monitoring and psychological support is essential to prevent stress-related disorders.Keywords: mental health, depression, students, stress, wellbeing, physiological monitoring.