Last month, Mental Health Awareness Month saw a surge of activity on campuses across the nation. Posters advocating for mental health awareness adorned hallways, and social media hashtags gained traction, fostering conversations about the essential nature of mental well-being. Yet as June unfolds, those vital discussions about student mental health seem to dwindle, even though the struggles students face persist.
Mental health is not a topic that should be confined to a designated month. It is fundamentally entwined with student well-being and should be a priority for educators, advocates, and policymakers year-round. With alarming statistics illustrating the urgency of the situation, it’s essential to focus on the reality behind the numbers.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide remains the second leading cause of death among individuals aged 10 to 24. A study by the Jed Foundation (JED) revealed that three out of five students are grappling with financial insecurity, and 60 percent express concerns about their futures. Disturbingly, over 60 percent of those suffering from depression are not receiving the necessary support.
While these statistics are troubling, they are not merely numbers; they represent the experiences of real students navigating an increasingly complex and demanding world. Today’s college students are digital natives, constantly connected yet often feeling isolated. They are emerging from the shadows of a pandemic, facing economic uncertainties and the looming specter of climate change. Many battle not only steep tuition fees but also basic necessities like food, housing, and childcare. Sadly, these students are often confronted with violence in spaces that were once perceived as safe—schools, grocery stores, and places of worship.
In addition to these challenges, students now bear an unprecedented emotional burden due to ongoing political tensions regarding their identities and entitlements. Across the country, there have been attempts to ban books, erase historical narratives, and dismantle programs that validate students’ identities. It’s alarming to witness mental health support being limited or discredited when students need it most. As higher education is increasingly seen as suspect or expendable, the core tenets of belonging, purpose, and opportunity are undermined, further entrenching the mental health crisis.
Consequently, a Lumina and Gallup poll revealed that one in three college students is contemplating leaving their educational programs due to mental health and emotional stress. As support dwindles, so does retention. Confronting the mental health epidemic cannot fall to a single institution; it requires collective action across educational, healthcare, philanthropic, governmental, and community sectors.
Addressing the mental health crisis in educational settings requires a new framework rooted in compassion, collaboration, and commitment. Three guiding principles can steer our efforts toward safeguarding students’ emotional well-being:
Mental Health is Core, Not Peripheral: It’s essential to treat mental health as central to student success, institutional missions, and employee well-being. It must be approached with the same urgency as academic achievement.
Mental Health is Holistic, Not Siloed: Support for mental health needs to be integrated into campus life, intersecting with health services, academic programs, and other student services, necessitating a “whole campus” approach.
- Mental Health is Multifaceted: Effective strategies must extend beyond individual counseling, requiring a comprehensive, system-wide response focused on wellness, belonging, and community.
While federal funding for mental health initiatives in schools has diminished, states have stepped up to provide leadership. A recent conference hosted by the Jed Foundation focused on how states are implementing creative, community-centered strategies designed to ensure that every student feels seen, supported, and safe.
For example, in Louisiana, mental health outreach has embraced cultural responsiveness through initiatives like yoga sessions accompanied by hip-hop music. Additionally, mental health discussions have been linked to broader conversations surrounding educational and economic success.
Montana has rolled out the “Thriving Together” initiative, which aims to build resilience and life skills on campus, focusing on collective care despite limited budgets. The state has collaborated with external organizations to bring essential services to students.
In Wyoming, telehealth has proven effective, especially in areas where provider shortages limit access to in-person care. These initiatives exemplify practices that can be adopted in various contexts.
Colleges can empower all staff members to recognize distress signs and encourage shared responsibility for mental well-being. Meanwhile, states and communities should invest in increasing the mental health workforce, ensuring sufficient trained professionals are available to meet growing demands.
At the Lumina Foundation, we recognize that students need more than just credentials; they require hope for their futures. Our goal—that 75 percent of working adults hold a valuable credential by 2040—is not merely a policy objective; it is a moral obligation. The objective is to enable every learner to secure a fulfilling life marked by security and civic engagement.
Mental health is central to this vision. It’s a challenging task, but it is imperative to support students’ mental health throughout the entire year. This support is foundational not only to academic success but also to human dignity and the impetus behind higher education.
As we move forward, let’s commit to making mental health a priority—not just when it is in the spotlight but throughout the year. The well-being of our students depends on it, and so does the fabric of our collective future.
