Clinically reviewed by Chris Mosunic, PhD, RD, MBA, Chief Clinical Officer, Calm
TL;DR
- College student mental health is improving, but anxiety and depression are still pervasive in this population.
- College students face many barriers to mental health support, including stigma, cost, and time constraints.
- Employers and health plans can help address these barriers by offering access to digital mental health screenings and engaging, evidence-based resources tailored to the needs of college students.
Julie couldn’t wait to get to college. She was excited to explore her interest in computer science, play club frisbee, discover new passions, and form new friendships.
But freshman fall wasn’t what she expected. Overwhelmed by academic demands, her self-confidence waned and self-doubt grew. She retreated from social activities and became increasingly anxious and depressed. Feeling alone and unsure how to get help, Julie thought about leaving school.
Julie isn’t alone. For many students, the college experience becomes less about grabbing opportunities and more about struggling with chronic stress and symptoms of anxiety and/or depression.
How common are anxiety and depression among college students?
College student mental health is trending in a positive direction since the pandemic, but anxiety and depression are still pervasive, according to the 2023-2024 Healthy Minds study of 100,000+ college students:
- 38% of college students report moderate to severe depression, down from 43% in 2021-2022
- 34% of college students report moderate to severe anxiety, compared to 44% in 2021-2022
- 38% of college students report any depression, and 34% report any anxiety, down from 44% and 37%, respectively, in 2021-2022
Why are depression and anxiety so common among college students?
College students develop symptoms of anxiety and depression for many different reasons, but they face a common set of significant stressors. For example, many college students experience:
- Intense academic pressure. Students may experience a volume of school work that they’re not accustomed to, along with high expectations to succeed, resulting in chronic stress, fear of failure, and symptoms of anxiety and/or depression. Financial stress might also come into play, intensifying these emotions.
- Sleep deprivation. Work overload, hectic schedules, lack of time management skills, and excessive screen time and social media usage are some of the reasons college students often fail to get enough sleep. Poor sleep can lead to irritability, confusion, tension, and depression. What’s more, students with ADHD or depression have much higher odds of experiencing insomnia.
- Loneliness. Some research suggests that loneliness in students is also a predictor of greater anxiety, stress, and depression over time. Unfortunately, feeling left out, isolated, or lacking companionship is common among college students. According to the latest Healthy Minds Study:
- 67% of college students report feeling isolated from others at least some of the time, and 27% say they feel that way often.
- 67% feel left out at least some of the time, and 23% feel that way often.
- 61% say they lack companionship at least some of the time, and 21% say they feel that way often.
- Developing independent living skills. Many college students are adjusting to living independently (or with roommates) for the first time. They’re learning how to manage responsibilities and stay organized, while also figuring out who they are.
- The onset of anxiety and depression in young adulthood. Some research suggests that the average onset of anxiety disorders is around age 21, coinciding with college years.
According to the Mayo Clinic, the populations at highest risk for depression and anxiety are female students, low-income students, students who identify as LGBTQ+, students of color, and students who are caregivers for children or adults.
Are college students getting the mental health support they need?
Data from the Healthy Minds Study suggests that student access to mental health support is improving just slightly and more must be done to address gaps. For example:
- 61% of students with depression or anxiety symptoms received therapy and/or medication in 2023-2024, compared to 60% in 2021-2022.
- In the same time period, the percentage of students receiving psychiatric medication increased from 29% to 31%, and those receiving mental health therapy in the past year increased from 36% to 37%.
- A more significant improvement is seen in students’ perception of their college climate regarding anti-racism. In 2023-2024, 90% of college students said they believe their college actively works to combat racism within the campus community, compared to 85% in 2021-2022.
Yet, despite positive trends in access and anti-racism on college campuses, about 40% of students with positive screens of anxiety and/or depression still aren’t receiving mental health support.
What keeps college students from getting mental health support?
This gap stems from a number of barriers to care, including stigma, financial stress, and time constraints, some of the very stressors negatively affecting student mental health to begin with:
- Nearly one quarter of students (24%) say they don’t have enough time to access mental health services.
- 22% of students say mental health care is too expensive or not covered by insurance.
- 19% of students prefer to deal with their issues on their own, suggesting discomfort in discussing personal struggles with others. Forty-one percent of students agree that most people would think less of someone who’s received mental health treatment.
- Black and Hispanic/Latine students face more financial barriers to mental health treatment than White students, and Asian American students reported a preference to handle issues on their own or with family and friends.
Other obstacles cited by college students include uncertainty about where to go for support, concerns about privacy, and feeling that providers don’t understand them. These barriers expose the urgent need for more accessible, cost-effective, and tailored mental health resources for college students.
How can employers and health plans better support the mental well-being of college students?
To better support college student mental health and well-being, employers and health plans can invest in digital mental health solutions that are tailored to the unique challenges and lifestyles of this underserved population. Digital mental health solutions meet students where they are—on their smart phones and laptops—and can be accessed anytime, anywhere, and confidentially.
Five pillars are key to the effectiveness of digital mental health apps. Apps should be:
- Tailored, i.e., designed specifically for college students, as well as Black students and students of color and students who identify as LGBTQ+
- Evidence-based, i.e., based on principles of proven, evidence-based therapy models, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy.
- Personalized, i.e., based on a person’s specific symptoms of anxiety and depression, as well as their health conditions and personal goals.
- Compelling, i.e., offering a wide range of mental health and mindfulness content that engages and sustains the interest of students over time. Most digital health apps are abandoned in about 15 days.
- Integrated, i.e., they simplify navigation for students, guiding them to the mental health resources that are most appropriate for their needs, such as an employee assistance program, crisis line, or other mental health benefits available in their plan.
The 5 criteria every digital mental health solution should meet
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Calm Health offers mental health programs designed for college students
Calm Health is a digital mental health solution that helps guide people to appropriate mental health resources based on their screening results, health conditions, and goals and interests. It supports the needs of college students through:
- 24×7 access to a mental health screening and personalized recommendations. The screening uses questions from the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9), a screening for depression symptoms, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), a screening for anxiety symptoms. At the conclusion of the questionnaire, Calm recommends a tailored solution n of clinical programming, mindfulness content, or external resources aligned to the student’s screening results. (Note: This screening is not intended to diagnose depression or anxiety nor is it a substitute for care by a physician or other health care provider. It is only available to U.S. residents age 18 or older.)
- Evidence-based programs developed by clinical psychologists specifically for college students. Campus Chill: Anxiety Management in College is designed to help college students reduce worry, improve sleep, and manage stress using methods based on principles of CBT. Tackling Depression and College Life offers methods based on the principles of CBT to support college students when they’re struggling with feelings of depression.
- An extensive library of mindfulness content for getting better sleep, building resilience, relaxing, and rebalancing. Calm Health meditations, wisdom, Sleep Stories, Soundscapes, music, breathing exercises, and other programs
- A wide range of culturally relevant content to support the mental well-being of people who are members of Black, Hispanic, Asian American, LGBTQ+ or other underrepresented communities.
College students are a critical, underserved population
Students enter college in a period of major personal development and transition that can influence their life trajectory. But as they face new challenges and stressors at this critical life juncture, many aren’t receiving the mental health support they need. Employers and health plans can help change that by investing in digital mental health solutions that offer personalized, evidence-based support designed specifically for their unique needs. In this way, employers and health plans can help develop a healthy, thriving future generation.
Calm Health is a mental health wellness product. It is not intended to diagnose or treat depression, anxiety, or any other disease or condition. Calm Health is not a substitute for care by a physician or other healthcare provider. Any questions that you may have regarding the diagnosis, care, or treatment of a medical condition should be directed to your physician or healthcare provider.
