Improve the holistic well-being of all students by ensuring mental health support is available and accessible to students.

The wellbeing and mental health of college students is a major source of concern. According to the COVID-19 Student Survey administered by the California Student Aid Commission, students have increased anxiety and worry about their ability to maintain the health and wellbeing of their families and themselves. Multiple student surveys indicate that students do not feel as though their holistic wellbeing is being supported.  At many colleges and universities, the student-to-counselor ratio is far beyond the recommended ratio of 1 to every 1,500 students. Students who seek help from their physiatric and counseling services often wait for weeks to secure an appointment. According to the 2018 Center for Collegiate Mental Health Annual Report, college students are increasingly experiencing and reporting mental health issues. The most common being anxiety and depression. In addition, college campuses are not immune to an adverse social and political climate. Prior to the pandemic, college campuses were being targeted by extremists to promote hurtful propaganda, causing students to feel unsafe or unwelcomed on their campus. State and educational leaders can do more to guarantee the well-being and safety of all students.

ACTION STEPS 

  • Ensure campuses adequately respond to threats to ensure the safety of the full campus community. 
  • Encourage a climate of belonging and inclusion on college campuses for all students.
  • Promote access to and improved mental health resources for all students including a better student-to-counselor ratio and cultural competence among service providers to meet the needs of a diverse student body.
  • Ensure that students have access to services that promote and maintain a healthy lifestyle

RESOURCES