Health Care — Colleges see rising number of mental health issues among students

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View Online Health Care Health Care The Big Story  Colleges struggle with growing mental health issues among students Despite efforts by four-year institutions to offer mental health services, recent data indicates a worrying trend among college students reporting suicidal ideation and depressive symptoms.  © Getty Images A Johns Hopkins University analysis of data collected from more than 560,000 college students by the Healthy Minds Study and released this month found large increases in mental health symptoms from 2007 to 2022.      Suicidal ideation was up 154 percent, restlessness increased by 80 percent and trouble concentrating rose by more than 77 percent. Women, minority students and people experiencing financial difficulty were more likely to experience depressive symptoms.      "We have expanded services in colleges and universities, but we haven't really redesigned the system. We're still treating mental health as a service, instead of making it a campus-wide strategy. We need to invest in prevention and peer support," said Pierluigi Mancini, interim president and CEO of Mental Health America.     The Healthy Minds Study, however, seemed to show a decrease in some mental health symptoms from 2022-24, with suicidal thoughts down 3 percent in that period and severe depression dropping 5 percent. The rates dropped from a high during COVID-19 but still outpace the general population.      Schools have not ignored the issue: One study shows 95 percent of four-year institutions and 80 percent of community colleges offer mental health services to students.      But the trouble is in identifying what exactly is causing the longer-term trends.       In a survey from Inside Higher Ed in 2024, students said the No. 1 factor driving the campus mental health crisis was balancing school with economic, personal and family duties.      Read more from The Hill's Lexi Lonas Cochran.  Welcome to The Hill's Health Care newsletter, I'm Joseph Choi — every week we follow the latest moves on how Washington impacts your health. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Essential Reads  How policy will be impacting the health care sector this week and beyond: Mark Cuban says Trump Rx saving people 'a lot of money' on some drugs Billionaire enterpreneur Mark Cuban on Wednesday touted the federal government's TrumpRx drug platform, saying the initiative is saving Americans money.  "Everyone wants me to rip on TrumpRx," Cuban wrote on the social platform X. "Reality is, it's saving patients money on IVF and a few other drugs. A lot of money. IMO, anything that saves patients money is a win." Cuban, who has criticized President Trump and endorsed …  Full Story Smokeless nicotine seen as 'bridge' for military members, veterans quitting cigarettes Smokeless nicotine products are being seen as a bridge to quitting cigarettes for former and current members of the military, which has an entrenched culture of tobacco use, experts and officials said during a Tuesday event for The Hill. Dr. Stephen Ferrara, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, told The Hill's Kathleen Koch of his long experience dealing with the effects of smoking, from strokes …  Full Story Colleges struggle to keep up with growing mental health problems Depression and suicidal ideation are stubbornly high among college students despite increased efforts by universities to combat the long-growing problem.  While nearly all four-year institutions and the vast majority of community colleges offer mental health services, it hasn't been enough to combat the academic stress, increased screen and social media time, rising isolation and other factors experts say …  Full Story In Other News  Branch out with a different read: Sanders presses Cassidy for hearing on RFK Jr. vaccine claims Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is calling on Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, to hold a hearing on the “dangerous misinformation campaign” Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has led in linking vaccines to autism. “The reality is that since Secretary Kennedy has been in office, he has continued his longstanding crusade … Full Story Around the Nation  Local and state headlines on health care: How a Texas couple is getting rich off out-of-network medical bills (Stat)  Louisiana projects about 21,000 people will lose Medicaid under new work requirements (NOLA.com)  'Not just a job': Oklahoma bill seeks to expand opportunities for mental health workers with lived experience (KOSU)  What We're Reading  Health news we've flagged from other outlets: House lawmakers signal willingness to counter China's biotech gains (Endpoints News)  Evidence shows ACA's mandated benefits alone don't drive up costs. The debate continues. (KFF Health News)  HHS has a potential solution for cancers that keep coming back: vaccines (The Wall Street Journal)  What People Think  Opinions related to health submitted to The Hill: The farm bill, in its current state, is a public health failure Work requirements will help Medicaid and its beneficiaries   You're all caught up. See you tomorrow!  Check out The Hill's Health Care page for the latest coverage. Like this newsletter? Take a moment to view our other topical products here 📩 Privacy Policy  |  Manage Subscriptions  |  Unsubscribe  400 N Capitol Street NW Suite 650, Washington, DC 20001 Copyright © 1998 - 2026 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved.

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