The general consensus among researchers is that college students’ mental health is in crisis, and is worsening in both number and severity over time:

• Before the pandemic, more than ⅓ of college students were diagnosed for having at least one mental health symptom.
• Between 2009 and 2015, the proportions of students with anxiety (+5.9%) or depression (+3.2%) increased significantly.
• Some groups were identified as more vulnerable to mental health problems than others, for example female and LGBTQ+ students.
• There is less conclusive evidence on the difference between races/ethnicities when it comes to mental health.

Despite the high prevalence of mental health issues, college students tend to underutilize mental health services:

• 2018-2019: 57% of students with positive anxiety or depression screens have not used a counseling service.
• Barriers that prevent students from seeking mental health services include a lack of perceived need for help, preference to deal with their mental health issues on their own, a lack of time, financial difficulty, and a lack of information about where to go.
• Stigma is also still a significant barrier to seeking help for mental health issues.