Mental health is a campus-wide issue that has a measurable impact on student success and retention. Institutions that prioritize mental health not only support their students more holistically, they position themselves as responsive, forward-thinking, and committed to long-term student success. 

But meaningful change doesn’t happen on its own. It requires persistent, informed, and collaborative efforts from leaders across departments. From student affairs professionals to academic advisors, every higher ed leader has a role to play in shaping a culture where mental health is recognized, supported, and sustained.

No matter your department or role, your voice matters – and you have the opportunity to use it to advocate for student mental health. We explore the importance of mental health advocacy and ways in which higher ed leaders can drive lasting change on campus.

Understanding why mental health advocacy is so critical

Even knowing the importance of student well-being, student mental health concerns continue to rise on college campuses across the country. According to The Healthy Minds Study, 34% of students experience moderate or severe anxiety and 38% experience moderate or severe depression. When student mental health conditions go unaddressed, it can lead to lower GPAs, higher dropout rates, and reduced engagement. 

Having the right support systems in place to provide students with a comprehensive suite of mental health and wellness services can be detrimental for the health of the community and the long-term success of the institution. The challenge, of course, is meeting the growing demand.

Addressing gaps in campus mental health services 

Counseling centers are often underfunded or understaffed. Faculty and staff frequently feel underprepared to support students in distress. And systemic barriers persist, making it difficult for some students to access the type of care they need at a time and place that works for them.  

Advocacy isn’t just about raising awareness. It’s about building the case for deeper investments and strategic, campus-wide solutions. Institutions should continually assess where they’re at and ensure that their systems are truly set up to support the mental health needs of their students. 

Becoming a mental health advocate in higher ed 

Advocacy is most powerful when it’s collective. It doesn’t belong to one department or one title; it’s a shared responsibility. While student mental health and well-being might not be your expertise, you can use your voice to advocate. 

Student affairs professionals, academic leadership, and other on-campus leaders have just as much influence, if not more, as health and counseling professionals. You may not be working directly with students, but you can elevate concerns to the administration, champion preventative strategies to support student well-being, and bring data and outcomes to decision makers so they are reassured that mental health care is necessary and effective. 

Whether you’re just getting started or looking to deepen your advocacy efforts, here are some advocacy strategies that higher ed leaders can use to create momentum. 

Build cross-functional coalitions 

No one department can solve the mental health crisis alone. Form working groups that bring together leaders from academics, student affairs, health services, and other departments. This breaks down silos, ensures alignment, and fosters a culture of shared ownership.

Identify and empower student voices

Students are powerful advocates. Create formal roles for students to contribute to mental health planning, serve on task forces, or lead peer support initiatives. When students speak from lived experience, it can drive empathy and action from campus leadership.

Leverage national best practices and partnerships

You don’t have to start from scratch. Tap into national organizations, professional associations, and digital mental health partners who can provide frameworks, tools, and scalable solutions. Mantra Health’s programs are one example of how external partnerships can expand access and reduce barriers for students.

Making the case to decision-makers

Advocacy often comes down to influencing those who control resources and policy. Gathering voices and aligning on key issues across various departments can help move from awareness to action – and can convince institutional decision-makers to invest in more mental health and wellness initiatives. If you’re looking to build a stronger case for mental health investment, here are some recommendations:

Present relevant data

Administrators respond to data. Use campus surveys, counseling center utilization rates, and national benchmarks to illustrate the scale and urgency of student mental health needs. Ideally, this data is current (within the last year) and targeted. If you can find relevant data for your state, for example, this can be even more meaningful and telling.

Align with institutional priorities 

Mental health is an issue that touches every major campus priority: retention, student success, and accreditation, etc. But not every institution is heavily focused on mental health, so make sure you’re aware of your administration’s current priorities and use this to frame your advocacy.

If, for example, first-year retention is a major focus (which it should be, as first-year students face the greatest risk of dropout), you can remind decision-makers that mental health support improves first-year retention. 

Focus on ROI

If you want decision-makers to take you seriously, you need to speak their language. Outline the cost of inaction, such as highlighting dropout-related revenue loss and present data that shows the results of proactive investment. Include scalable options, like group therapy models, faculty training, or digital mental health platforms, that maximize impact.

Choosing the most effective solutions for your campus

Mental health advocacy isn’t an “extra;” it’s an essential. Institutions that want to attract, support, and graduate today’s students must take a leadership role in addressing mental health head-on. This means building more comprehensive support systems and investing in more care, such as virtual therapy and psychiatry, peer support, counseling, and crisis intervention services. 

Turning to third-providers can help close existing gaps, especially on campuses that have limited resources and staff. But how do you convince your institution to invest? Look for partners who are willing to collaborate, who can effectively meet the needs of students, and have shown that they positively influence student outcomes. 

If you’re considering partnering with a third-party telehealth provider, download our guide on choosing the right digital mental health partner.