Recent surveys reveal that 16% of faculty and staff meet criteria for depression, 17% for anxiety, and 27% report feeling burned out, with many recognizing worsening student mental health but lacking confidence in identifying distressed students.

While most faculty and staff acknowledge the decline in student mental health, about half feel unprepared to recognize students in distress, highlighting a gap in support.

The 2024-2025 Healthy Minds Study shows a continued decline in depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts among college students for the third year in a row, with depressive symptoms dropping from 44% in 2022 to 37% in 2025.

Despite these positive trends, over half of students still report feeling lonely, and the percentage of students feeling psychologically well or flourishing has slightly decreased to 36% in 2025.

Although mental health improvements are evident, loneliness remains high at over 50%, and the percentage of students experiencing moderate-to-severe depression has decreased but still affects a significant portion of the student body.

Disparities in mental health support persist among different student groups, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions like peer support, psychoeducation, and social-emotional learning, especially for underrepresented students.

Experts highlight that addressing these disparities requires tailored programs to support vulnerable student populations and improve overall mental health equity.

The study indicates that about 37% of students utilize mental health services annually, with 60% of those with depression or anxiety receiving clinical treatment, though barriers like lack of time, finances, and preference for self-management remain.

Institutional roles are crucial, with calls for increased training and resources for faculty and staff to better support students, especially as many report high levels of burnout and frequently discuss mental health issues with students.