This study pioneers a mental health education model for college students, merging cognitive-behavioral theory with artificial intelligence (AI) technology. By employing mathematical statistics to analyze teaching variables, we establish regression equations that elucidate the relationship between cognitive-behavioral based mental health education and its impact on students’ psychological well-being and psychological capital. Our findings highlight the significant mediating roles of cognitive behavioral instruction on positive emotion regulation (0.161), subjective happiness (0.348), sadness and frustration management (0.412), and anger control (0.376), confirming the efficacy of this approach. The application of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in student psychoeducation has shown promising results in improving cognitive abilities, reducing emotional disturbances, and enhancing cognitive functions, offering valuable insights for advancing mental health education in higher education institutions.