College students are facing rising rates of stress, anxiety, depression, and more complex mental health conditions, while higher education institutions struggle to meet the growing demand for more comprehensive mental health programs.

According to the Healthy Minds Study, 57% of college students reported moderate or severe depressive symptoms, 34% experienced moderate or severe anxiety, and 13% experienced suicidal ideation during the 2023-2024 academic year. Yet, only 36% sought mental health therapy or counseling.¹ Socioeconomic factors, such as financial insecurity, further exacerbate these challenges and increase barriers to care, highlighting the urgent need for more proactive and accessible mental health support systems on campus.

To effectively meet the evolving needs of students, institutions should offer a range of accessible and comprehensive mental health programs. These can include preventive wellness resources as well as specialized care, ensuring both early intervention and long-term support for student well-being.

College counseling services are often the hub for student mental health support. Many have broadened their offerings over the years to include not just traditional counseling, but also psychiatric care, wellness workshops, crisis intervention, and other support services. 

When building a mental health program on campus, it’s important for institutions to recognize the unique and varied needs of their student body – and offer a more comprehensive suite of services that accounts for different levels of need. One institution may have a large population of commuters and need more accessible telehealth options, while another may have a large population of neurodivergent students who would benefit from more specialized care like ADHD support. 

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to building a robust student mental health program, but every institution should assess what they currently offer, what students are demanding, what gaps might exist, and what services would be worth the investment. Some of the most common offerings include: 

While not every student needs one-on-one clinical support, it’s important for institutions to offer in-person counseling on campus, ideally in a location that’s accessible and easy to find. In addition to providing therapy, many institutions offer traditional therapy, some also offer group therapy which can be broad or more specialized and tackle specific mental health challenges such as ADHD or eating disorders.

Not every student can or wants to access in-person counseling, making virtual therapy an important option. Studies have also shown that it can be just as beneficial as in-person therapy² – and in some ways, even more so. Secure video sessions with licensed mental health professionals provide students with flexible, confidential support at a time and place that’s convenient for them. In addition to offering virtual therapy as an alternative to in-person therapy, you’ll want to expand access with evening and weekend sessions (as many counseling offices close at 5pm) and provide optional coverage over breaks (and summer). Virtual therapy can also provide students with longer, 45-minute sessions. Having this option is essential for any campus, but can be especially helpful for working students, parents, and those living in remote areas.

Students with psychiatric conditions like bipolar disorder, severe depression, or post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may need psychiatric care, which would include proper evaluation, prescription management, and ongoing support. Many institutions provide psychiatric services through on-campus providers or virtual platforms, making it easier for students to access specialized care without long wait times – and without having to leave campus to find a community provider.

Students experiencing a mental health crisis need immediate support. This is why many institutions offer on-demand, 24/7 crisis hotlines, on-call crisis counselors, and/or in-person crisis response teams. While some institutions may partner with national hotlines, such as the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988) or the Crisis Text Line, others will work through a third-party provider to establish their own line. It’s important that students have access on nights and weekends, when counseling centers are closed, to reliable and professional clinical support. It can also be beneficial to provide global 24/7 crisis support for students who are living or working abroad.

Wellness support services are essential to building holistic, well-rounded college mental health programs and can help students manage stress, build resilience, and maintain overall well-being. By offering proactive resources, such as mindfulness programs, sleep and nutrition workshops, fitness initiatives, stress management workshops, institutions can promote mental health and prevent escalations. UCLA Health’s Mindfulness Education Center, for example, includes innovative, evidence-based mindfulness programs. Wellness offerings not only complement on-campus care, but they can be especially beneficial for lifelong success when skill building resources are included. Integrating wellness support into campus services fosters a healthier, more engaged student body while easing the demand on clinical resources.

Studies have shown that 75% of students who have experienced mental health difficulties reported telling a peer first.³ Having access to a reliable network of trained peers can be extremely beneficial for students, especially when dealing with stress, anxiety, or other mental health challenges. Peer support programs, often run by students trained in active listening and mental health first aid, create safe spaces for students to connect with those who understand their experiences and what they may be going through. Establishing a peer support group can be difficult, which is why institutions often turn to third-party providers who have established safe, anonymous, and clinically-moderated communities.

Mental health isn’t just a student issue – it affects families, too. Providing clinical support, as well as guidance and resources to parents and caregivers can help improve students’ mental well-being. It can be especially beneficial for students with high-acuity needs. Some schools offer family workshops, helplines, or resource guides to bridge the gap between home and campus support. Family support may also be included in an intensive outpatient program (IOP), which can prove critical for students who may need to take a leave of absence from school to address their mental health needs.

Students dealing with substance use can benefit greatly from in-person support services. Recovery programs, harm reduction resources, and peer-led support groups can provide students with the tools they need to successfully embark on a recovery journey. However, not every institution is equipped with enough resources to provide this on campus and many refer students to national organizations or community providers.

Texas Tech University is one institution that has built a very successful program through its Center for Collegiate Recovery Communities (CCRC). Services include housing assistance, academic assistance, and a strong peer network – a model that has been adapted by many other institutions, including Rutgers University’s Recovery House and the University of Michigan’s Collegiate Recovery Program.

Navigating a mental health support system can be overwhelming, especially for students battling academic responsibilities along with work and personal responsibilities. Case managers are trained in working with students and know how to connect them to the right resources, coordinate care across departments, and ensure students are properly supported throughout their college career. A care manager can help by advocating for students, tracking their progress, identifying needs, and connecting them with various resources such as counseling, disability services, financial aid, or food assistance.

This is usually offered as part of an institution’s disability or accessibility services department and includes academic support services. For students with mental health conditions that significantly impact their daily life and ability to succeed in the classroom, accommodations can be sought. Some common mental health conditions, which may require additional support include anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), among others. Ideally – for the best, well-rounded support – an institution’s disability and accessibility services will work directly with health services and counseling services to ensure students’ needs are being properly met.

Coaching services are a vital component of a comprehensive college mental health program, providing students with structured support to build resilience, develop coping skills, and navigate challenging situations. Unlike traditional therapy, coaching focuses on goal-setting, time management, motivation, and executive functioning, key areas where students often need guidance. By integrating coaching into mental health services, institutions can offer a proactive approach that empowers students to develop lifelong skills for success while reducing strain on clinical resources. This holistic model ensures that students receive the right level of support at the right time, improving overall well-being, retention, and academic performance.

Specialized mental health care isn’t usually available directly on campus, but it is essential for supporting students experiencing high levels of acuity. Establishing connections with local hospitals, integrated care networks, and integrated outpatient programming ensures that students with complex mental health needs receive the appropriate level of care. As more students present with higher acuity, having a seamless referral system and access to specialized services helps institutions provide comprehensive, community-based support that extends beyond traditional campus resources. This approach strengthens the overall mental health ecosystem, ensuring students receive timely, coordinated care when they need it most.

Regular mental health screenings and assessments can help support early identification and intervention, especially when paired with care management. These tools help colleges assess students’ well-being, identify risk factors, and get students connected to the appropriate resources, from self-guided support to clinical care. By incorporating screenings into orientation, wellness initiatives, and ongoing outreach, institutions can proactively address mental health concerns, make more informed decisions, and create a more supportive campus environment.

While this isn’t specific to mental health programming, socioeconomic support can be extremely beneficial for students with mental health issues who may face barriers to care. It has also been shown to directly influence a student’s mental health, wellness, and academic persistence.⁴ By providing socioeconomic support, such as emergency financial aid, food and housing assistance, affordable healthcare, and access to mental health services, colleges can help reduce barriers to well-being. Addressing these challenges ensures that all students, regardless of financial background, have the stability needed to focus on their education, personal growth, and mental well-being.

Institutions may also consider additional offerings, such as global support for students who are traveling or living abroad and translation services which allow students to access mental health care in their preferred language.

When a students’ mental health needs are met and they are equipped with the right tools and resources needed to cope with life’s challenges, they are more likely to achieve academic success and graduate on time. It’s in an institution’s best interest to provide students with a wide range of clinical and non-clinical support services.

The best college mental health programs support the entire student body. While not every student has a clinical need, nearly all would benefit from more support, including those who are high achieving. In addition to offering in-person counseling services, institutions should consider virtual clinical and non-clinical options.

Institutions can also offer support to faculty and staff, who often come face-to-face with students who are undergoing mental health challenges. This could include Mental Health First Aid training, other crisis and suicide prevention trainings, as well as a faculty and staff crisis line, which helps connect students to essential services.

Promoting student mental health and building a comprehensive mental health program, which accounts for the varied needs of the student, will lead to positive outcomes, including:

By prioritizing mental health programs, institutions can create an environment where all students have the resources and tools they need to thrive. Whether through clinical care, peer support, faculty training, or proactive well-being initiatives, investing in student mental health fosters academic success, personal growth, and a stronger campus community.

As students’ mental health and wellness needs continue to evolve, so too must campus mental health programs. The future of student well-being will be shaped by innovative digital tools, AI-driven support, and expanded crisis intervention teams that provide timely, effective care. Institutions that embrace these advancements will be better positioned to proactively address mental health challenges, ensuring that students receive the proper level of support they need at the moment they need it.

By investing in comprehensive mental health initiatives and prioritizing these efforts, colleges and universities can make a lasting impact on student success and well-being – and contribute to a more resilient campus community.

Understanding the importance of providing students with a comprehensive mental health program, Mantra Health offers everything from self-guided wellness courses and one-on-one coaching to virtual psychiatry and 24/7 crisis care.

References:

¹ Healthy Minds Network. (2023). Healthy Minds Survey 2023-2024 National Report.
² Lattie, E. G., Lipson, S. K., & Eisenberg, D. (2021). Technology-based mental health interventions for college students: A systematic review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 23(11), e31274. https://doi.org/10.2196/31274
³ Ng, F., Wei, Y., Lim, C., & Christensen, H. (2024). Peer support for student mental health: A systematic review. Frontiers in Psychology, 15, 10755562. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.10755562
⁴ Mushunje, R., Dockery, N., Lin, M., Johnson, K., Toole, K., Henry, S., & Gantt-Howrey, A. (2023). Addressing social determinants of mental health to improve college access, retention, and completion. Journal of College Access, 8(1), Article 5, 46–88. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1410996
⁵ Thomas, N. S., Barr, P. B., Hottell, D. L., Adkins, A. E., & Dick, D. M. (2021). Longitudinal influence of behavioral health, emotional health, and student involvement on college student retention. Journal of College Student Development, 62(1), 2–18. https://doi.org/10.1353/csd.2021.0001