The number of college students seeking mental health support at campus counseling centers increased by nearly 40% between 2009 and 2015 and has continued to rise, according to Penn State University’s Center for Collegiate Mental Health (CCMH) [1].
“Counseling centers on campuses have seen extraordinary increases in demand over the past decade, our counseling staff has almost tripled in size, but even if we continue hiring, I don’t think we could ever staff our way out of this challenge,” said Michael Gerard Mason, Associate Dean of African American Affairs at the University of Virginia (UVA) and a longtime student counselor [2].
This has led university leaders and staff across the country to rethink institutional approaches to student mental health, implementing more group therapy, peer counseling, telehealth options, and partnering with local treatment centers to help students find affordable, effective care.
Read on to learn more about the challenges that university students face, on-campus resources, and strategies to support student wellness.
Major Challenges College Students Face
College students face many unique challenges of young adulthood, such as transitioning to independence, academic stress, irregular sleep schedules, loneliness, and anxiety about the future and what comes after graduation.
Transition to Independence
Many college students struggle to adapt to living independently for the first time, as those who live on campus or in dorms are often moving from home for the first time. Managing daily self-care, academics, and financial responsibilities can take a toll on their mental health.
Around 60% of students report feeling unprepared for the demands of adult life and struggle with independent living, which can cause increased stress and a sense of failure [3].
Academic Stress
College students experience high academic demands and expectations, especially with the pressure of competitive university culture and programs.
More than 50% of college students report feeling overwhelmed by courses, and one in five students struggles with moderate to severe anxiety during final exam week [4].
Mental Health Stigma
Surveys report fear of judgment and perceived weakness as major barriers to students accessing mental health care, with only one-third connecting with treatment. This is especially the case for students who struggle with more stigmatized mental health conditions such as bipolar disorder, eating disorders, suicidal ideation, and substance abuse [5].
Lack of Sleep
For most college students, sleep deprivation comes with the higher education journey. Nearly 70% of students report poor sleep quality or problems such as insomnia, which can heighten stress and anxiety [6].
Loneliness and Social Isolation
It’s common for college students in the US to live on campus (many even require it in their freshman year), often going out of town or even across the country for school. For many young adults in college, this is their first time being away from home and family for so long, which can lead to increased rates of loneliness and isolation.
Building social connections can be difficult in college, but it’s helpful to connect with student organizations, clubs, and sports leagues to find others with shared interests.
Discrimination
Students from marginalized groups, including racial minorities and LGBTQ+ individuals, face higher levels of individual and systemic discrimination that impact their mental health. Discrimination has been linked to higher rates of anxiety, depression, and substance use.
Financial Stress
Nearly 70% of college students report significant financial stress, balancing tuition, living expenses, and sometimes work. Many students have to take out loans with high interest rates to afford courses, textbooks, campus housing, and food/meal plans. According to data from 2025, the average amount of student loan debt for US college students after graduation is nearly $40,000 [7][8].
Anxiety About the Future
Surveys report widespread concern among college students after graduation, reporting uncertainty about the future, citing AI, economic instability, and lack of career opportunities in their desired job markets.
Common Mental Health Disorders Among College Students
According to the Healthy Minds Network, which collects data from over 350 campuses nationwide, more than 60% of college students meet the criteria for at least one mental health diagnosis, some of the most common being depression, anxiety, and substance abuse [2].
Studies show that nearly half of mental health disorders develop around 14 to 18 years old, and about three-quarters by the mid-20s. This is due to some of the challenges listed above, combined with typical factors of mental health such as genetic vulnerabilities, brain development, and childhood trauma [6].
According to a comprehensive review from the American Association of Directors of Psychiatric Residency Training, the most common mental health disorders in college students include [6]:
| Mental Health Condition | % of Students Who Meet Criteria |
| Anxiety | 11.9% |
| Depression | 7% to 9% |
| Substance Use Disorder | Approx 20%, with some rates of non-medical use of prescription stimulants being as high as 35%, and marijuana use around 30% |
| Bipolar Disorder | 3.2% |
| Suicidal Ideation | 6.7% |
| Eating Disorders | 9.5% screened positive |
Campus Strategies for Promoting Mental Wellness in Higher Education
Universities are dedicating more resources to quick access and assessment, with many students able to walk in for same-day intakes and single counseling sessions to reduce waitlist times that historically can be weeks or months.
After evaluation, many schools use a stepped-care model, providing students who are in most need with the most intensive care. Experts say this approach can make more sense than offering traditional therapy to everyone.
“Early on, it was just about more, more, more clinicians, but in the past few years, more centers are thinking creatively about how to meet the demand. Not every student needs individual therapy, but many need opportunities to increase their resilience, build new skills, and connect with one another.” said psychologist Carla McCowan, director of counseling at the University of Illinois [2].
Students who are struggling with academic stress, for example, may benefit from workshops on stress, time management, effective goal setting, and sleep. Those who are experiencing loss, grief, isolation, or struggling with the transition to college may benefit from group therapy and peer counseling.
Students with more acute concerns, such as trauma, sexual assault, discrimination, and addiction, may benefit from a more comprehensive treatment plan and one-to-one sessions with professional therapists.
Partnering with Local Treatment Centers
Schools are also shifting the language about what mental health care on campus looks like to promote transparency and manage expectations among students and their parents. For example, most on-campus counseling centers can’t offer unlimited weekly sessions to a student throughout their entire college career.
To address these concerns, more universities are partnering with local treatment centers in the community to refer students to community providers who can offer more personalized and comprehensive care.
Integrating Education and Care: How We Collaborate with Local Universities
In partnership with several local colleges and universities in the Boston area, Trinity Wellness Group offers flexible scheduling and supportive care tailored to students’ needs, including evening treatment options and academic schedule adjustments. Most student health plans provide out-of-network benefits, making care both accessible and affordable.
We also serve as a teaching clinic dedicated to shaping the next generation of mental health clinicians. Guided by our commitment to ethical practice and reflective learning, students and emerging clinicians gain hands-on experience with evidence-based treatment modalities such as CBT, DBT, and EMDR, group therapy, case consultation, and interprofessional collaboration.
Whether you’re seeking care, clinical training, or balancing both, we integrate education, supervision, and student-centered care in an environment designed to help young adults both heal and grow professionally.
Sources
[1] Penn State University. 2015. Center for Collegiate Mental Health (CCMH) Annual Report.
[2] Abrams, Z. 2022. Student mental health is in crisis. Campuses are rethinking their approach. Monitor in Psychology. APA.
[3] Navrozashvili, M. 2025. Pre-Semester Student Stress Statistics: Everything You Need to Know. EssayPro.
[4] Travia, R. et al. 2025. MEASURING WELL-BEING IN A COLLEGE CAMPUS SETTING. ACHA.
[5] Cage, E. et al. 2018. Barriers to accessing support for mental health issues at university. Studies in Higher Education.
[6] Wilens, T. (2015). College Students: Mental Health Problems and Treatment Considerations. Academic psychiatry: The Journal of the American Association of Directors of Psychiatric Residency Training and the Association for Academic Psychiatry, 39(5), 503–511.
[7] Ohio State University. 2015. 70 percent of college students stressed about finances.
[8] Welding, L. 2025. Average Student Loan Debt in 2025. Best Colleges.
