Meeting the Growing Demand for Campus Mental Health Support

October 30, 2024

According to a 2023 survey from the Healthy Minds Network, 41% of college students reported having symptoms of depression, while 36% reported anxiety. These numbers are staggering.

Considering the growing pressure on students and the increasing willingness of students to seek help, college counseling centers are struggling to keep pace with the demand for services.

This gap between supply and demand is leaving many students without timely access to care, leading to sometimes significant delays in services. The strain on college counseling centers is further complicated by the shortage of mental health professionals. The U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration projects that by 2025, the demand for mental health professionals will exceed supply by 250,000 full-time providers. For colleges and universities, hiring more counselors is not only cost-prohibitive but often impossible due to this shortage.

Moreover, the growing mental health crisis among students has a ripple effect on academic performance and retention rates. A survey from the American Council on Education found that 66% of college presidents listed student mental health as a top concern, recognizing the direct link between well-being, student success, and retention.

Clearly, this is not just a mental health issue—it’s an academic and institutional challenge. While many colleges attempt to address the growing demand by expanding their counseling staff, this linear solution falls short of addressing the root causes and exponential growth of the problem. There has to be a better path forward.

The Limits of Simply Expanding Counseling Staff

The most straightforward solution to rising demand might seem to be hiring more counselors. However, this presents several challenges. First, mental health professionals are in short supply, particularly those with experience working with young adults in academic settings. Plus, hiring qualified staff is not only costly, but it also fails to scale at the same rate as demand.

Furthermore, simply increasing the number of counselors doesn’t address the systemic issues that contribute to mental health challenges on campuses. A reactive approach—where students are only supported after they reach a crisis point—leaves many without the preventive care they need to maintain their well-being.

To truly meet the needs of today’s students, we need to rethink how we approach mental health on campus. Instead of focusing solely on reactive measures, colleges should invest in building robust community support systems that focus on prevention, early intervention, and holistic care.

Building Community as a Preventive Measure

One of the most effective ways to reduce the strain on counseling centers is to build a strong campus community that supports mental health and well-being.

College is not just a place for academic achievement; it’s a space where students learn to build relationships, develop life skills, and find their place in the world. A sense of belonging and connection can be a powerful buffer against the stressors that lead to mental health struggles.

Institutions can foster this sense of community by promoting (and providing logistical and financial support to):

Peer support/mental health programs
Student organizations
Group events that encourage socialization and emotional connection

By creating opportunities for students to engage with one another and feel supported, we can prevent some of the issues that lead to mental health challenges like anxiety, depression, chronic stress, and loneliness.

Leveraging Peer Support Networks

Peer support programs have gained significant momentum on college campuses in recent years, and for good reason. These networks empower students to be part of the solution, creating a culture of care that extends beyond the walls of the counseling center. When students are trained to recognize signs of distress in their peers and offer meaningful support, the entire campus benefits.

After talking with a few of our clients, I’ve heard how effective peer support can be in supplementing traditional counseling services. By creating structured and moderated peer support programs, schools can extend their reach and provide help to students who might not otherwise seek it. These programs also serve as a valuable bridge to professional care, offering students an accessible first step in addressing their mental health needs.

The key to success with peer support programs is training and close supervision. While students can be incredibly empathetic and insightful, they are not a replacement for professional counselors.

Instead, they serve as a complement, helping students navigate the challenges of daily life and guiding them toward appropriate resources when needed. With the right infrastructure in place, peer support networks can significantly reduce the burden on counseling centers while fostering a culture of mental health awareness and support.

Moderated Online Student Communities

In addition to in-person peer support, online communities can also play a pivotal role in promoting mental health on campus. Digital platforms, when moderated appropriately, offer a space for students to connect, share their experiences, and offer each other support from anywhere, at any time.

By creating moderated online communities, institutions can provide students with a safe, accessible space to share their thoughts and experiences. These forums can serve as an extension of the peer support networks, offering students another avenue to seek help and connect with others. Moderators can ensure that discussions remain supportive and productive, intervening when necessary to guide students toward professional help.

Online communities are particularly valuable for students who may not feel comfortable seeking help in person or who struggle to find time to visit a counseling center. Offering multiple options for support—both in-person and online—can create a more inclusive and accessible mental health care system.

The Pitfalls of Outsourcing Mental Health Care

Some institutions have turned to external, third-party mental health providers to address the growing demand for mental health services. While these services can be convenient and offer a more immediate “release valve” during periods of high demand, they come with significant drawbacks.

Outsourcing care is often more expensive in the long term, and it generally lacks the personalized approach that’s essential for meeting the unique needs of a campus community.

Mental health care is deeply personal, and students benefit most when they receive support from professionals who understand their specific environment and challenges. External providers may not have the same level of insight into campus culture, student demographics, or the issues affecting a particular institution. As a result, the care they provide can feel disconnected and impersonal.

Additionally, outsourcing services can undermine the sense of community that is so crucial for student well-being. When students rely on external providers, they miss out on the opportunity to build relationships with campus staff and peers, which are key components of a robust support system.

A Path Forward: Holistic, Integrated Mental Health Support

The growing demand for mental health services on college campuses requires a comprehensive, integrated approach. Rather than focusing solely on increasing the number of counseling staff, institutions should invest in building community, promoting peer support, and leveraging technology to create a more holistic support system.

At Medicat, we’re committed to helping colleges and universities develop sustainable mental health care solutions that meet the needs of their students. Fostering a culture of care, investing in preventive measures, and providing personalized support ensures that every student has access to the help they need—before they reach a crisis point.