As a senior high school student, I am looking forward to becoming a college freshman in a few months. High school has been stressful for many students. What is it going to be like in college? Is mental health a more challenging issue in college than in high school?
After the pandemic, mental health for college students worsened across the nation, according to the national Healthy Minds Study, which collects survey data from over 350 campuses [1]. Results revealed that in 2020-2021, over 60% of college students met the criteria for at least one mental health problem, which was a nearly 50% increase from 2013. Since then, students have been improving, since the rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation have fallen for the third year in a row, according to the 2024-2025 Healthy Minds Study [2]. However, there is still plenty of progress to be made as the study revealed 37% reported moderate to severe depression, 33% reported moderate to severe anxiety, and 11% reported suicidal ideation.
In response, schools have implemented new and creative solutions to mitigate the issue. Firstly, schools are training faculty to recognize and sometimes treat mental health issues. For example, faculty at the University of North Carolina have received training in basic skills for supporting students [3], while Pennsylvania State University has a Red Folder campaign [4] to equip their faculty. Schools have also organized ways for peers to help each other as well. For example, Florida Gulf Coast University’s “Bold Eagles” support group is for men looking to explore their emotions. At Washington University in St. Louis, Uncle Joe’s Peer Counseling and Resource Center offers one-on-one appointments with peer counselors that have been trained to handle a variety of issues [3]. Lastly, some schools are implementing systemic changes to improve students’ quality of life. At Johns Hopkins University, administration has made it easier for students to take time off [3].
These are just a few examples of how colleges make efforts to address mental health issues on campus. Many college students also take initiatives in the form of student-led organizations to promote mental wellbeing in the community. I look forward to be part of them!
Inside the Mind 