By Dr. Nance Roy
Over the past decade, mental health challenges among college students have been well documented and continue to be a growing concern. Data from the 2023-2024 Healthy Minds Study revealed that 38% of undergraduates experienced moderate to severe depression, 34% reported mild to severe anxiety, 25% screened positive for suicidal ideation, 6% made a suicide plan, and 2.2% made a suicide attempt, with suicide being the second leading cause of death.
For students, their school community is a critical part of their support network and emotional safety net. When considering how best to protect the mental health of college students, it is important to remember that while college life can be exciting, it is not without stressors. Increased academic pressures, social adjustments, financial stress, and navigating the challenges that accompany increased independence can contribute to feelings of isolation, loneliness, anxiety, and depression. In severe cases, this can lead to self-destructive behaviors or suicide.
These risks not only impact students, but they also can pose significant risk to the academic institution. Institutional risk may take the form of decreased retention rates, possible liability if a student’s mental health leads to self-injury, suicide, or a threat to the campus community. An institution’s reputation may also be damaged if it failed to provide adequate support for students’ mental health or failed to intervene appropriately when a student is in crisis.
The Jed Foundation's Comprehensive Approach
The Jed Foundation (JED), the nation’s leading non-profit organization that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for teens and young adults, works directly with colleges, school districts, and high schools to put systems, programs, and policies in place to create a culture of caring that promotes student mental health and reduces risks for suicide.
In addition to working directly with schools, The Jed Foundation