FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 21, 2025

 

MEDIA CONTACT
The Steve Fund
E: PR@stevefund.org
C: 401-373-2703 

 

NEW POLL BY THE STEVE FUND SIGNALS 

LOOMING MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS ON CAMPUSES NATIONWIDE 

 

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 21, 2025)  – 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: 

  • 1 in 4 students said college had a negative impact on their mental health.
  • 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.
  • 2 in 5 students report struggling with impostor syndrome.
  • 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, including stigma, lack of access, and limited awareness. 

 

Amid historic funding threats to academic institutions, post-pandemic pressures, and growing student activism, the study exposes deep, longstanding gaps between the mental health needs of young people and the insufficient resources colleges and universities provide at one of the most vulnerable times in students’ lives.

“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. “It is essential that institutions provide mental health services to the specific needs of students, ensuring they have the resources necessary to thrive both academically and emotionally.”

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, and to direct meaningful action and create tools and resources to support youth in crisis.

Since its founding in 2014, TSF has been dedicated to addressing the mental health needs of college students, particularly those from historically marginalized backgrounds, by transforming campus environments to better support students in the fullness of their unique identities. In response to the widespread lack of administrative support that students cite as a major barrier to care, 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, and Family Corner, which provides families with tools to advocate for their students’ emotional well-being.

For decades, mental health research has grouped students of all racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds together, perpetuating assumptions and gaps in understanding. The study aimed to fill those gaps by exploring the specific needs of students from a variety of demographic groups and guiding institutions in providing better support.

Additional Insights Include:

  • Mental Health Crisis Among Students of Color: Stress levels have remained high

among students of color.

  • Progress in Mental Health Service Use: There has been a 30% increase in the use of

mental health resources among students of color, reflecting reduced stigma and greater

awareness of available support systems, including services like telehealth and text-based platforms. 

  • Campus Mental Health Services Need Expansion: Students are calling for expanded

mental health resources on campuses, including more support groups, safe spaces, and

urgent crisis services.

“The Steve Fund’s research offers meaningful guidance for institutions seeking to better support the mental health of students,” says Jasmine Haywood, strategy director at Lumina Foundation. “It highlights important challenges while suggesting thoughtful, practical steps forward. We value our partnership with TSF and our shared commitment to promoting opportunities in higher education.”

Through expert-led workshops, mental health training programs, and partnerships with institutions, TSF is working to expand access to mental health supports and normalize help-seeking among students. The organization is also collaborating with colleges to develop safe spaces, crisis intervention programs, and targeted services that meet the specific needs of these students.

Visit www.stevefund.org to learn more about TSF.

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About the Survey

The research was conducted online in the U.S. by The Harris Poll on behalf of The Steve Fund among 2,050 U.S. residents ages 18-24 years old currently attending a 4-year college or university in the U.S. The survey was conducted February 29 – April 1, 2024. 

Data are weighted where necessary by age, gender, race/ethnicity, region, year in school, enrollment status (full or part-time), school type (public or private), and household income to bring them in line with their actual proportions in the population. Hispanic origin is also included for the Hispanic subgroup.

Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have agreed to participate in our surveys. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval.  For this study, the total data is accurate to within ± 3.6 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. 

All sample surveys and polls, whether or not they use probability sampling, are subject to other multiple sources of error which are most often not possible to quantify or estimate, including, but not limited to coverage error, error associated with nonresponse, error associated with question wording and response options, and post-survey weighting and adjustments.

About The Steve Fund

The Steve Fund is a leading nonprofit organization focused on transforming educational, organizational, and workplace environments to support the mental health and emotional well-being of young people. Building knowledge and capacity among organizations serving young people is critical to the Steve Fund’s Mission. The Steve Fund offers various solutions to assist colleges, universities, nonprofits, and workplaces in enhancing their capacity to promote mental health and emotional well-being among young people.