Black students at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are flourishing mentally at higher rates than their peers nationwide, according to a new UNCF report that also reveals significant gaps in mental health resources.
The report, “Flourishing: Bolstering the Mental Health of Students at HBCUs and PBIs,” was conducted in partnership with UNCF’s Institute for Capacity Building, the Healthy Minds Network and The Steve Fund. Researchers gathered data from 2,504 students across 16 HBCUs and two predominantly Black institutions during the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 academic years. The result is a comprehensive look at how these institutions support student well-being—and where more support is urgently needed.
Key Findings:
- Flourishing: 45% of HBCU students reported flourishing, compared to 36% of the national sample and 38% of Black students at small PWIs.
- Sense of Belonging: 83% of HBCU students said they feel part of the campus community, significantly more than peers at predominately white institutions (PWIs) (72%).
- Lower Mental Health Risks: HBCU students reported lower rates of severe anxiety (16% vs. 17% nationally), were less at risk for eating disorders (9% vs. 14%), and reported lower substance use, with only 3% smoking cigarettes (vs. 8%) and 42% consuming alcohol in the past year (vs. 49%).
While HBCU students report strong mental health outcomes, black students continue to experience:
- Financial Stress: Over half (55%) of HBCU students reported financial stress as one of their top three concerns. Students who stressed about finances were nearly three times more likely to have a mental health issue than those who were never stressed.
- Unmet Mental Health Needs: 54% of HBCU students with moderate to severe symptoms of anxiety or depression reported not receiving any treatment in the past year—higher than national and PWI samples.
- Stigma: 52% of HBCU students perceived negative stigma around mental health, the highest among all groups surveyed.
Despite these barriers, the campus culture at HBCUs may play a protective role. Students at these institutions were more likely to say their school prioritizes mental health and fosters open conversations. “My HBCU cultivates a strong sense of identity and culture of achievement,” said one student in a listening session.
Supportive faculty and staff also make a difference. Among students who spoke with an educator about mental health challenges, 92% described the interaction as supportive or very supportive.
“We can’t think of a more important topic, nor a more sincerely needed effort, than helping to ensure all our students flourish,” said Dr. Michael L. Lomax, UNCF president and CEO, emphasizing the importance of building on the report’s findings.
Recommendations for Campus Leaders:
- Increase on-campus mental health services and peer support options.
- Implement financial literacy programs to reduce stress.
- Normalize mental health conversations to address stigma.
- Train faculty and staff to respond compassionately and effectively.
- Engage students in programming and policy design.
This report serves as both a call to action and a roadmap for college administrators—especially those at institutions serving underrepresented students. While HBCUs are setting the pace in supporting student well-being, they still need ongoing investment to close service gaps and ensure all students can thrive.
