“While the numbers are overwhelming, it is critical to applaud America’s youth—and their trusted support systems—for taking the important first step of recognizing their need for professional therapeutic support and acting on it,” said Chief Care Officer for TimelyCare Bob Booth in a news release. “As students continue to seek mental health care and gain awareness of mental health issues earlier and earlier, we can expect a tidal wave of students entering college with unprecedented needs for support.”

TimelyCare also provides recommendations for colleges and universities on addressing student mental health. Here are 10 steps to improve student mental health as a higher education leader:

Normalize and destigmatize mental health support
Factor in all students’ backgrounds and identities
Understand that mental health is an essential need
Address areas where there are shortages in health providers
Tackle it as an entire system
Advocate for your school counselors staff
Be intentional in reaching “silent sufferers”
Encourage students to take the lead
Champion student-athlete mental health
Respond with a culture of caring

Instant Insights /

More than half of college students relied on mental health care in their youth

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