With consistently alarming rates of anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns, many college students are struggling to thrive, even as colleges are improving their efforts to provide services and support for mental health.

According to the American College Health Association’s 2023 National College Health Assessment, nearly two-thirds of students reported experiencing overwhelming anxiety, and 40% reported feeling so depressed it was difficult to function.

The 2023-2024 Healthy Minds Study data also showed 77% of students reported that at least one day in the previous four weeks they “felt that emotional or mental difficulties have hurt [their] academic performance.” Twenty-one percent selected the answer indicating they felt this way six or more days in the same time period.

The combination of academic pressures, financial stress, social isolation, and an uncertain future has created a perfect storm for mental health challenges. Many are also still dealing with the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which exacerbated symptoms of depression and anxiety and substantially disrupted young people’s educational and social lives. According to research by the Jed Foundation, more than 60% of students say it negatively impacted their mental health.

Colleges are working to respond, but many are finding their resources stretched thin. According to the Center for Collegiate Mental Health, campus counseling centers across the country have reported an overwhelming demand for services, with many struggling to hire enough staff to keep up.

Colleges are also seeking new approaches to foster resilience and meet the urgent needs of their students. This includes increasing access to mental health services, reducing stigma, and promoting mental health wellness through initiatives geared toward the general student population as well as specific groups, including studentparents, veterans, and those who identify as LGBTQIA+.

Without significant, targeted changes, the mental health challenges facing students are likely to continue growing, impacting not only their academic success and professional futures but also their overall well-being. There are examples of successful, replicable programs across the country that are addressing these issues and improving the mental health of their campus communities.

A Holistic Approach to Serve Student-Parents

Student-parents face unique challenges that intensify the already demanding workload of college life. Balancing academic responsibilities with raising children — and often juggling employment as well — leads to hectic schedules, financial stress, and social isolation, all of which can negatively impact mental health.

Their most critical needs can be summed up in two words: accessibility and flexibility. Unlike traditional students, who are responsible primarily for themselves, student parents must also care for their children, frequently putting their family’s needs above their own. Offering telehealth options, recorded workshops, and self-guided mental wellness resources allows them to access support at a time or in a manner of their choosing, providing them with greater flexibility.

Holistic programs that combine mental health resources with practical assistance — such as child care assistance and financial counseling.— have proven particularly effective. By offering subsidized child care, family housing, and emergency grants, institutions can help alleviate the financial challenges that often lead to increased stress for student-parents.

The University of Michigan (UM) offers a notable example of this approach through the Students with Children program, which provides access to both individual and group counseling, specifically focusing on stress management and balancing academics with parenting roles. Available telehealth options ensure UM student-parents have flexible access to mental health professionals. Additionally, the program offers resources including child care, on campus family housing, and a dedicated family center where participants can study, connect with peers, and spend time with their children.

In 2021, the national nonprofit Generation Hope launched their technical assistance program, FamilyU, collaborating with higher education leaders to create more supportive environments for student-parents by providing some of the resources needed for success and long-term economic mobility. The current cohort includes five institutions — City College of San Francisco, El Camino College, Metropolitan State University of Denver, Southern University of New Orleans, and the University of New Mexico — that can access tools, virtual coaching, and a network of student peers and professionals.

Programs like these help student-parents better manage their responsibilities and alleviate stress, enabling them to thrive academically and beyond.

Reducing Obstacles for Low-Income Students

Students from low-income backgrounds often encounter roadblocks that hinder their success, such as limited resources, social isolation, and inconsistent access to health care.

These students frequently contend with food, housing, and transportation insecurity, which create barriers to focusing on academics. And financial constraints may prevent participation in extracurricular activities, making it harder for these students to form friendships and feel a sense of belonging on campus.

Additionally, limited access to educational materials during the K-12 years can leave them less prepared for the demands of higher education. In his book “Outliers,” journalist Malcolm Gladwell examines factors that contribute to success, citing a study by Karl Alexander at Johns Hopkins University that found low-income students experience greater learning setbacks over summer breaks compared to their wealthier peers.

As a result, these students frequently must work harder than their higher income peers, balancing both academic and financial pressures. Advocating for themselves can be discouraging, contributing to higher dropout rates.

To help level the playing field, universities can offer a variety of support mechanisms. Scholarships remain a popular option — Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, for example, recently raised $250,000 for scholarships through its Night to Ignite event. Colleges like Carnegie Mellon and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, among others, go a step further and offer free tuition to students whose family income falls beneath a certain threshold.

Filling the gaps for low-income students doesn’t have to be extreme to make an impact. Appalachian State University maintains the Mountaineer Food Hub & Free Store, which provides food, hygiene products, and clothing to those in need. Syracuse University’s Student Association holds no-cost career closet events to ensure all students have access to interview- and work-appropriate attire.

The New Jersey Transit authority, in partnership with Rutgers University and other New Jersey colleges, offers discounted monthly transit passes to part- and full-time students who purchase their pass online. And the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication at Washington State University offers a laptop loan program for eligible students who lack the resources to purchase their own computer.

Colleges can make higher education more accessible by proactively supporting low-income students, ensuring that they are better equipped to succeed, despite economic disadvantages.

LGBTQIA+ Students and the Benefits of Belonging

Belonging — feeling accepted, valued, and included — is a fundamental human need, especially for college students navigating new environments, relationships, and expectations. Research consistently underscores the psychological benefits of belonging.

A study led by Maithreyi Gopalan, PhD, associate professor of education and public policy at Pennsylvania State University, found that students with a strong sense of belonging before the COVID-19 pandemic reported lower rates of depression and anxiety during campus shutdowns. These protective effects were seen across diverse populations, including first-year, underrepresented racial/ethnic minority, and first-generation students.

Unfortunately, not all groups experience belonging equally. LGBTQIA+ students frequently report lower levels of belonging compared to their peers. Historical exclusion and stigmatization contribute to these disparities, making it more challenging for them to integrate academically and socially.

A report by the Williams Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles, found that nearly one in four LGBTQIA+ people of color felt they did not fully belong in school because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, and many concealed their identity to avoid discrimination. A number of colleges are taking steps to address these issues by implementing policies and support systems that foster inclusion and belonging.

Kent State University, for example, offers LGBTQIA+-friendly housing options, including a living-learning community centered on gender identity and social justice. Linfield University pairs students with queer mentors and maintains an LGBTQIA+ affinity group.

Syracuse University’s Queer Clothing Swap and Marist College’s ally network training create inclusive spaces through affirming events. Additionally, Ohio University offers workshops on pronoun use, while the College of the Holy Cross provides specialized LGBTQIA+ counseling services.

By addressing the challenges specific to the LGBTQIA+ campus community, schools can create safer, more inclusive environments, allowing all students to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

Campus-Based Support for Student-Veteran Wellness

From the military base to the classroom, student-veterans balancing the weight of military-to-civilian transition with the demands of academic life can experience difficulties that impact their mental well-being.

A recent Government Accountability Office report found that studentveterans utilize mental health care at significantly higher rates than the broader veteran population — 70% of medical visits by student-veterans involved mental health care, compared to roughly 30% for veterans overall. This heightened demand underscores the need for targeted and proactive resources for this group.

To address these needs, universities are establishing comprehensive campus-based mental health programs for student veterans, forming partnerships with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and community organizations, and providing clear information on how to access available aid.

One successful example can be found at the University of Maryland Global Campus, where their One2One Mentorship Program offers personalized, peer-based support for veterans, active-duty service members, and their families. Mentors assist participants by offering advice on utilizing veterans’ benefits, career guidance, academic encouragement, and overall support. These efforts foster lasting, positive connections between mentors and mentees that are designed to help members of the military and veteran community transition smoothly from military service to an academic environment.

Oregon State University (OSU) has also taken proactive steps to provide enhanced support of student veterans by hiring Donald Phillips, a combat veteran, as the coordinator of veteran and military-connected student mental health and wellness. Phillips’ background allows him to effectively address issues such as depression, PTSD, and traumatic brain injuries. Connecting with someone like Phillips, who has a military service background, means clients can get to the deep issues much quicker, he said in an OSU statement. “I can understand the broader context of their experiences. So, they have to lay less groundwork in order to talk to me.”

By integrating mental health care into the university setting and collaborating on VA initiatives like the Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership program, colleges can create a seamless network of support for student-veterans.

Bridging the Divide for Students of Color

Students of color and those from minority groups can experience a lack of representation and role models, isolation related to cultural differences, and systemic inequities that contribute to feelings of anxiety and depression. Colleges can effectively provide support by cultivating an inclusive campus culture and implementing programs that address their specific needs.

One key approach is the development of peer mentoring and professional support networks, which can be highly effective in promoting mental wellness and enhancing the community connections that improve student experiences, increase the likelihood of completing a degree program, and lead to better overall social and emotional outcomes.

At Lewis and Clark College, the Office of Inclusion and Multicultural Engagement hosts Great Expectations Mentorship (GEM), a peer-led program designed to support the transition to college for students of color through an initial off-campus retreat followed by weekly gatherings that include workshops and social events, and the guidance of a GEM Mentor who remains actively involved for the full academic year.

Vanderbilt University School of Nursing’s BIPOC Mentoring Program is designed to create connections and relationships between pre-specialty and specialty students who share cultural backgrounds in order to facilitate greater involvement in campus social events, assist students with acclimating to the demands of their program, and enrich their overall academic experience.

The University of Virginia School of Education and Human Development BIPOC Alumni-Student Mentoring Program pairs mentees with alumni to establish relationships and engage in activities such as observation, feedback, co-planning, and skill refinement. The program offers an opportunity for alumni to facilitate an inclusive learning experience by reducing the barriers that can discourage BIPOC students from succeeding in the K-12 teacher and educator pipeline.

By allocating spaces for students of color and those from other minority groups to connect with peers and mentors who share their experiences, these programs foster a sense of belonging and community that can mitigate mental health challenges and create a learning environment where all students have the opportunity to succeed academically.