51% of U.S. College Students Rate Their Mental Health as Fair, Poor, or Terrible in National Survey Conducted by The Harris Poll
NEW YORK, May 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A new national study from The Steve Fund (TSF), a leading nonprofit organization focused on supporting the mental health and emotional well-being of young people, conducted by The Harris Poll reveals that over half of college students rate their mental health as fair, poor, or terrible, underscoring a looming mental health crisis on U.S. campuses. The crisis is more acute among students from historically disadvantaged communities, who face mounting academic, emotional, and social pressures.
Key Findings Include:
- More than 7.5 million young people from historically disadvantaged backgrounds in the U.S.—over one in five—struggle with their mental health.
- More than 3 in 4 students believe colleges must invest more in targeted mental health support.
- 80% of students of color (Black, Asian, Hispanic) want mental health programs tailored to their background.
Access the full report at https://stevefund.org/tsf-harris-poll-lumina-foundation-poll/.
Building on research conducted in 2017, the groundbreaking study by TSF explores the unique mental health challenges facing college students from across backgrounds, including those of color. It examines students’ perceptions of campus climate and inclusivity, the emotional toll of identity-related stressors like discrimination, impostor phenomenon, and feelings of otherness, as well as barriers to seeking mental health support.
The study exposes deep, longstanding gaps between the mental health needs of young people and the insufficient resources colleges and universities provide.
“Our findings highlight the critical need to address the mental health challenges faced by students on college campuses,” said Stephanie Bell-Rose, President of The Steve Fund.
Titled “Student Mental Health on College Campuses,” The Harris Poll surveyed 2,050 U.S. residents ages 18-24 between Feb. 29 and April 1, 2024, who were currently attending a four-year college or university in the U.S. The research follows a 2017 study conducted by The Harris Poll and commissioned by TSF and the Jed Foundation, to develop a critical comparative lens to understand trends, prioritize areas of importance to support youth in crisis.
TSF offers a suite of initiatives, including the Excellence in Mental Health on Campus program, which equips colleges with research-based strategies for building community.
Visit www.stevefund.org to learn more about TSF.
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SOURCE The Steve Fund
