Mental Health on Campus: Empowering Gen Z to Lead the Change

Mental Health on Campus: Empowering Gen Z to Lead the Change

By: Laura Horne, MPH, CHES, Chief Program Officer, Active Minds

New challenges in student mental health are arising. This generation of students is experiencing and becoming more forthcoming about their experiences with loneliness, anxiety, depression, and even suicide. Consider these facts:

• 1 in 2 students has felt overwhelming anxiety that has impacted their academics

• 1 in 3 students has arrived in college with a diagnosed mental health condition, and for many, this is the first time they are managing it on their own

• 7% of students have seriously considered suicide in the last year.

This is part of a national trend: 1 in 5 adults in America experience a mental illness. However, the challenges students are facing begin early – half of all chronic mental illnesses begin by the age of 14.

Supporting Students Who May Be Struggling

Thankfully, this is not the whole story. National sources, such as the Healthy Minds Study, have found that 42% of students are flourishing at the highest level. And there are other reasons to feel optimistic about the future for today’s students. Students entering college today are less likely to drink or do drugs than previous generations. They also feel a greater responsibility to their community, especially to their friends. 76% of students feel they have a responsibility to help their friends who may be struggling, which is great news because the majority of students will first tell a friend when they are experiencing a mental health concern.

A conversation can be life changing, especially with one’s peers. For many students, feeling supported by their community is just what they need. It can be challenging, though, to know exactly what to say when someone tells you they are stressed, having a difficult day, or are in pain or have a mental health need.

Whether you are a peer, staff member, or faculty member, Active Minds suggests an approach that includes three steps so you’ll know what to say and do in those moments when a student needs your support. A conversation that includes the elements of Validate-Appreciate-Refer is one that allows you to actively listen to someone you care about and help them cope. A conversation with you could make all the difference:

1. Validate their feelings. Let them know what they are feeling is okay and that you believe them. Validation sounds like, “That makes sense” and “That sounds difficult.”

2. Appreciate their courage. Speaking up can be a challenging step – let them know it’s a good one. Also, show you are there to support them. Affirmation sounds like, “Thank you for sharing” and “You are not alone.”

3. Refer them to skills and support. Let them know help is available and refer them to appropriate resources. Refer sounds like, “I think it might be helpful to talk to someone. I can stay with you while we call/text someone you trust” and “I’ve been using this meditation app. It’s really helped me slow down my thoughts.”

With V-A-R, we can let everyone know that you don’t need to be in a crisis to seek help; you don’t have to be an expert to provide help; and help can come in many different forms. Being there for someone in a moment of need is what it’s all about.

Secrets to Unleashing the Power of Student-Led Change

Also encouraging is the knowledge that 79% students, when faced with challenges, feel they have the power to change their situation for the better. When it comes to the many areas of life where students want to enact change, few causes ignite more interest among students than mental health.

At Active Minds, we have seen first-hand the power of student-led change for creating a culture on campus supportive of students struggling with their mental health. When administrators involve students in positive change around issues like mental health, students are more invested, successful, and satisfied with their college experience. They gain leadership experience and critical-thinking skills, self-identity, and motivation that impact many areas of their lives. Particularly, students with disabilities feel more autonomy and better self-esteem when included. Studies also show that stronger academic performance and retention rates result from student involvement.

Active Minds supports campuses to offer SEATS at the table to students in ways that are: 

• Student-informed: Taking a student-informed approach means that decisions should be informed by data collected from students. National surveys, such as the Healthy Minds Study or the National College Health Assessment, are excellent strategies for collecting student-reported information regarding mental health and well-being.

• Equitable: Administrators also need to make sure their efforts to involve students are equitable, addressing gaps in opportunity for health among populations that are historically marginalized. For example, steps should be taken to provide cultural competency and responsiveness training for faculty, staff, and students that is holistic in its approach. 

• Actionable: Those who are doing this work around mental health need to view students as equal partners in the process, and not just end users. Ensuring that the campus response to student mental health needs are practical, achievable, and not simply symbolic is critical. 

• Transparent: Student involvement is also most effective when communication is transparent. Strategies include allowing for two-way communication with students through town hall meetings, focus groups, and other methods. 

• Sustainable: Finally, it is important for the efforts to be sustainable for the long term. Administration and students can consider establishing an Active Minds chapter to ensure student mental health leadership is sustained on campus year-to-year. To ensure success, Active Minds National provides funding, technical assistance, training, leadership development, and mentoring.

There is much work still left to be done in empowering student voices in campus decision-making. For technical assistance, more support, and examples of how university leadership are successfully partnering with students, contact Active Minds at activeminds.org.

Active Minds is the nation’s premier nonprofit organization supporting mental health awareness and education for students. With a presence on more than 600 high school and college campuses, Active Minds is reducing the stigma surrounding mental health, creating communities of support, and saving lives. A recent landmark study by the RAND Corporation confirms that Active Minds has a significant positive impact on mental health education and suicide prevention.