Building a culture of care to support students’ mental health

Students may not always openly express their mental health concerns, so creating an environment where they feel safe discussing their challenges starts with awareness and empathy. Because mental health challenges can create significant barriers to academic and personal success, a network of comprehensive mental health resources is an integral part of a supportive campus environment. 

This reflects that the mental health of our students isn’t an individual concern; it’s a community-wide issue that affects every aspect of university life. Supporting well-being isn’t the sole responsibility of counselling services; it’s something to which we all contribute. Whether you’re a professor, a peer mentor or a staff member, everyone has a role to play in creating a supportive environment where students can thrive. University leaders, too, must address mental health, with authentic compassion and concrete action.

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Mental health challenges don’t define a student’s potential. With the right support, students can move forward from these obstacles and achieve incredible things. 

The scope of the mental health problem at US universities

The statistics around student mental health underscore the urgency of this issue. Nearly 40 per cent of college students experience depression, and more than 30 per cent report a level of anxiety that significantly affects their daily lives, according to Healthy Minds Network research. These rates have roughly doubled in the past decade. Even more concerning, suicide is the second most common cause of death among people aged 15 to 24, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These numbers aren’t just statistics; they represent real students on our campus who may be struggling in silence.

In addition, mental health concerns disproportionately affect students from under-represented and marginalised communities. These students face challenges such as systemic inequities and cultural stigma around seeking help. At our academic institutions, we must recognise the need to address these disparities and provide inclusive support for all college students.

Recognising the signs of mental health distress and taking action

As part of our community approach, we emphasise the importance of recognising the signs of mental health struggles. Faculty and staff are equipped with tools such as our Distress Guide, a resource that outlines actionable steps for addressing different levels of student distress. These guides empower us to act early and connect students to the right resources.

Students themselves are encouraged to look out for one another. Peer support is a powerful tool, and initiatives such as Active Minds and other student-led organisations play a critical role in reducing stigma and fostering open conversations about mental health on campus.

A community approach to mental health

Access to mental health resources can be life-changing. Students who receive counselling, for example, report higher levels of academic confidence and engagement; this is also reported by the American Psychological Association. They are also more likely to persist through difficult times and graduate successfully. At Virginia Tech, we’re committed to making these resources accessible so that every student feels empowered to seek help when they need it.

Here are resources that academic institutions can create to help struggling students. 

Mental health centres 

Ideally, a centrally located and easily accessible mental health centre will offer individual and group counselling, crisis support and psychiatric services. Our Cook Counseling Center has routine services for ongoing mental health assistance as well as crisis services for when a student requires immediate emergency assistance.

Mental health resource hubs 

Resource hubs offer workshops, training and programmes focused on topics that often affect students, including stress management, healthy relationships and substance use. These hubs should ideally also offer specialised services for groups such as parenting students. At Virginia Tech, this hub is called Hokie Wellness. It makes it easy for students to access services and connect to resources, such as crisis intervention and community support.

Online support via a 24/7 virtual mental health platform 

A virtual mental health platform allows students to connect with counsellors at any time, from anywhere. This flexibility is especially important for students balancing demanding schedules or living off campus. It also allows universities to offer a more diverse portfolio of mental health counsellors and reach more students. Such a platform should allow for a generous number of free sessions, so lack of financial resource is not a barrier to students. We use TimelyCare. For us, this always-available online platform has helped reduce waiting times at our campus counselling centre – overloaded counselling centres are a real concern for universities. It also provides a crisis support “talk now” feature that offers students a mental health professional to engage with in under five minutes.

Dean of Students Office 

For students facing broader challenges, such as financial or housing insecurity, the Dean of Students Office – or a similarly named entity – would ensure their basic needs are met so they can focus on their mental health and academics. At Virginia Tech, the office gives students hands-on support through initiatives such as first-generation resources and assistance around food insecurity and family crises.  

Mindfulness initiatives 

Universities could offer and promote mindfulness practices through workshops and retreats that help students build resilience and manage stress effectively.

Inclusive and cultural centres 

Spaces such as Indigenous and LGBTQ+ cultural centres provide tailored support for students navigating identity-related challenges. We have five unique hubs, all within the Beyond Boundaries Cultural District, that raise cultural awareness and create inclusive communities.

Financial resources 

Helping students build financial understanding is a great way to instil confidence and financial resilience for a lifetime of well-being. We offer training and workshops on fiscal resourcefulness through Hokie Wellness.

No student should feel alone

We often talk about the concept of Ut Prosim – that I may serve. At Virginia Tech, this principle extends to how we approach mental health. Supporting student well-being isn’t just about offering resources; it’s about cultivating a culture of care and understanding that everyone belongs and is valued. By working together as a community, we can ensure that no student feels alone in their struggles.

Amy Epperley is senior director of Hokie Wellness at Virginia Tech. She is the recipient of the 2021 Virginia Tech  President’s Award in recognition of outstanding contributions and excellence in her role.

If you’re having suicidal thoughts or feel you need to talk to someone, a free helpline is available around the clock in the UK on 116123, or you can email jo@samaritans.org. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255 or simply 988. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international suicide helplines can be found at www.befrienders.org.

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