<p>The pandemic has negatively affected the mental health of university students worldwide. In this context, this study aimed to conduct a preliminary investigation into the effects of a 6-week live online self-compassion group program on university students’ self-compassion and psychological distress, including depression, stress, and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study used a randomized control group pre-test, post-test, and follow-up test design. The study group was comprised of 26 university students (13 in the experimental group and 13 in the control group). All the participants are women. The intervention group engaged in a 6-week live online self-compassion development program, consisting of one session per week. The Self-Compassion Scale Short Form and Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 were used to collect data. Post-intervention assessments revealed that students in the intervention group experienced increased self-compassion and reduced anxiety and stress. Moreover, all measurements, including depression, showed significant differences from those of the control group during the 6-week follow-up period. The pre-test, post-test, and follow-up scores of the control group showed no significant differences on any scale. This study highlights the effectiveness of delivering self-compassion-based group psychoeducation through live online sessions to support the mental health of university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Replicating this finding with a larger sample size can provide deeper insight into its effects on mental health and coping strategies.</p>