Comprehensive data on anxiety, depression, academic stress, and mental health support gaps among students. Understanding the crisis is the first step toward solutions.
The 2024-2025 Healthy Minds Study surveyed over 84,000 students from 135 colleges and universities, providing the most comprehensive picture of college student mental health to date.
The most frequently diagnosed mental health condition among college students
More than one in three students report experiencing depression
Students "Thriving"
Only 36% of college students report high levels of success in relationships, self-esteem, purpose, and optimism—down from 38% the previous year.
Declare Mental Health Crisis
Four out of five students declare a mental health crisis on campus, emphasizing the urgent need for improved mental health support and resources.
Screen Positive for Depression (PHQ-9)
38% of U.S. college students screened positive for moderate or severe depression using clinical instruments—meeting clinical threshold beyond "feeling stressed."
Suicide is the second-leading cause of death among college students, with around 1,100 students losing their lives each year.
Suicidal thoughts have decreased from 15% in 2022 to 11% in 2025, showing progress but highlighting continued need for support.
Source: Healthy Minds Study, UCLA Research 2025
Teen mental health has been in crisis, but recent data shows the first significant improvements in over a decade. Here's what the numbers reveal.
Source: CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey
The rate of major depressive episodes among adolescents aged 12-17 fell from 20.8% to 15.4% between 2021 and 2024.
This is the most significant improvement in this metric in over a decade, according to 2026 analysis of SAMHSA and CDC trend data.
Source: Medical Daily, SAMHSA 2026
While teen girls show higher rates of reported distress, boys are significantly less likely to seek help.
Boys are far more likely to act out behaviorally rather than report internal symptoms, meaning their mental health crisis often goes unnoticed longer.
Source: SAMHSA Teen Behavior Analytics 2026
Academic stress is the most frequently cited stressor among students. The pressure to perform academically, combined with heavy workloads, is taking a significant toll on student wellbeing.
Teens Develop Depression from Academic Pressure
The pressure to meet academic standards creates depression in one out of five teenagers who face this challenge.
Career Anxiety Harms Performance
Uncertainty about post-graduation outcomes weakens motivation and confidence, impacting academic performance.
Experience Moderate to High Stress
Only 26.8% of students report "low" subjective stress levels. Women experience significantly higher stress levels than men across all fields of study.
Source: Research.com Student Stress Statistics 2026, Frontiers in Psychology
Despite the high prevalence of mental health issues among students, a significant treatment gap remains. Many students who need help are not receiving it.
Source: SAMHSA, National Association of School Psychologists
School Psychologist to Student Ratio
There is only one school psychologist for every 1,127 students—far above the recommended ratio of 1:500.
Federal Investment (2025)
The U.S. Department of Education allocated $280 million in 2025 grants for school-based mental health services—but significant gaps remain.
Students Seeking Treatment (CCMH)
Data from 209 colleges describes over 160,000 students actively seeking mental health treatment—a positive sign of help-seeking behavior.
Students are accessing an increasingly diverse array of resources, with digital and mobile mental health services evolving rapidly and becoming popular among students. This is helping bridge some of the treatment gap.
For the first time in over a decade, key mental health metrics are improving among students. Here's what's getting better.
5 percentage point improvement
7 percentage point improvement
4 percentage point improvement
Source: UCLA Healthy Minds Study 2024-2025
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. Here are resources for students seeking mental health support.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988
Free, confidential, 24/7
Crisis Text Line
Text HOME to 741741
Free, confidential text support
National Suicide Prevention
1-800-273-8255
Available 24/7
Trevor Project (LGBTQ+)
1-866-488-7386
For LGBTQ+ young people