Understanding Mental Health Struggles Among College Students

The Spring 2024 National College Health Assessment (NCHA), conducted by the American College Health Association (ACHA), paints a stark picture of mental health among undergraduates nationwide. The survey, which gathered responses from more than 79,000 students across 154 U.S. campuses, found that:

• 1 in 5 experience serious psychological distress,
• 1 in 2 report feelings of loneliness, and
• 1 in 4 live with an active mental health condition.

Disparities remain wide: transgender and gender-nonconforming students report rates of distress and suicidality that are two to three times higher than those of their cisgender peers

While the crisis is deepening, the growing willingness to talk about mental health represents progress. Students today are more open about their struggles, less likely to see mental health as taboo, and increasingly likely to seek help.

As an advisor or student success leader, understanding why students are struggling — and how to support them — is key to building a healthier, more resilient student body.

Why Do College Students Struggle with Mental Health?

Mental health doesn’t exist in isolation. It’s influenced by academic, financial, social, and personal pressures, all of which are heightened during the college years.

According to the NCHA, over 75% of students reported experiencing moderate or high levels of stress within the past month, and nearly half said their mental health had negatively affected their academic performance.

Below are three of the most common drivers of student mental health struggles, and how your campus can help.

1. Academic Stress

Academic pressure remains the top source of student stress. The 2024 NCHA found that over two-thirds of undergraduates cited academics as a significant source of distress, with more than half saying stress directly impacted their academic performance.

Between course loads, exams, and competitive expectations, many students feel overwhelmed and unprepared to manage their time or cope with academic setbacks.

How your campus can help:

• Offer counseling services and stress management workshops focused on time management, study skills, and coping techniques.
• Encourage faculty to include mental health resources in syllabi.
• Use tools like Mongoose‘s Conversation Intelligence Platform to remind students of available resources, tutoring sessions, and workshops — and to check in proactively when stress is highest (e.g., midterms and finals).

2. Financial Strain

Money remains one of the biggest stressors for college students. The NCHA data shows that financial problems caused moderate or high distress for more than 50% of students, with many reporting that financial strain affected their academic performance.

The cost of tuition, housing, and daily expenses continues to rise, leaving students anxious about debt and long-term financial security.

How your campus can help:

• Provide financial wellness workshops or virtual sessions to help students budget and navigate aid applications.
• Ensure your financial aid office uses two-way communication solutions like Mongoose so students can ask questions easily and receive personalized guidance.

Even a quick text reminder about scholarship deadlines or budgeting tips can go a long way in reducing stress. Below is one example of how this process could look for a student success team.

3. Transition Challenges

Starting or returning to college can be emotionally challenging — especially for first-generation students or those living away from home for the first time. The NCHA data highlights that nearly half of undergraduates reported feelings of loneliness, and 26% experienced high stress levels in the past month.

These transition periods can trigger isolation, homesickness, or imposter syndrome, all of which can erode mental well-being and academic engagement.

How your campus can help:

• Pair incoming students with peer mentors or advisors who check in regularly throughout the first semester.
• Create community spaces and events that encourage connection and belonging.
• Use Mongoose’s emotion and key topic analysis features to monitor tone in student messages and identify those who might need additional outreach or support.

Empower Student Mental Health with Mongoose

While academic, financial, and transitional challenges are among the most common stressors, they’re far from the only ones. Many students also grapple with family obligations, sleep deprivation, chronic health conditions, and social isolation.

According to the 2024 NCHA, 27.5% of students screened positive for suicide risk, and 11.3% reported engaging in self-harm in the past year — underscoring the urgency for early intervention and consistent communication.

As a student success leader, maintaining an open line of communication with your students can make all the difference. By integrating Mongoose, you can stay connected with students in real time, provide timely resources, and ensure no student slips through the cracks.

Every conversation matters — because sometimes, a simple check-in can change a student’s path.

Ready to make a difference? Learn more about Mongoose and book a demo today to see how Conversation Intelligence can help you empower student well-being, engagement, and success.

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