The Larger Picture: Mental Health in Higher Education

Mental health challenges are facing all of higher education and no institution is immune from it. Rates of anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation on college campuses have never been higher. Data from the Healthy Minds Study highlighted that during the 2020-2021 academic year, over 60% of college students nationwide met the criteria of at least one mental health disorder. The causes are multifaceted, encompassing a blend of academic pressures, personal relationships, socio-economic challenges and global issues like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite the blooming mental health crisis nationwide, there's a silver lining: stigma around mental health is decreasing and more people are seeking assistance openly instead of suffering in silence. The convergence of these factors creates a pressing need for universities to adapt and expand their support systems.

“At UH, we have added counselors to our CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services) team, but we cannot staff our way out of this challenge,” said Chris Dawe, associate vice president for health and wellbeing. “We are looking at new ways to address mental health on our campus, emphasizing a shift towards encompassing a more holistic approach in mental health and wellbeing.”

In addition to adding new tools, like Togetherall and Welltrack Boost, UH has expanded the opportunities for group therapy on campus and revamped trainings to better equip faculty, staff and students to support their colleagues and peers in need. Student Housing & Residential Life has added five dedicated professionals to directly support residential students through new programming and one-on-one conversations. A pilot project is in development that will embed mental health counselors in additional colleges, similar to the one already in the Tilman J. Feritta Family College of Medicine.

The JED Initiative at UH

One of the biggest CoogsCARE projects underway is the JED Campus Initiative, which in its first year has led the way in expanding services offered to students, such as Togetherall and Welltrack Boost.

A dedicated team of UH students, faculty and staff have volunteered to support UH’s JED Campus initiative, and work groups in each of the areas of action have combined the JED strategic plan with recommendations from last spring’s mental health task force and CAPS external review for a comprehensive UH-specific approach to improving mental health on campus. Another great example of the work is the launch of "You Can Help a Coog" training, which equips the UH community to recognize and refer students in need of mental health support.

The JED Campus Initiative, a program by The Jed Foundation (JED), collaborates with universities over a four-year period, fostering a systematic, evidence-based review of how institutions can enhance student emotional well-being. With the guidance of JED, UH aims to fortify its infrastructure, creating an inclusive culture where Cougars care for one another, forming a safety net for student mental health.

“Our efforts to improve mental health and wellbeing on campus involves all of us. We are not just focused on students. While our faculty and staff have a pivotal role in responding to others in need, we recognize that they also may need assistance themselves. It really has to be everyone’s responsibility at the university to create a culture of wellbeing.”

For a list of mental health resources available to UH students, faculty and staff, visit the CoogsCARE website.

Need Support Now?

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call CAPS crisis support 24/7 at 713-743-5454, or for the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline call or text 988, or chat online at 988 Lifeline Chat and Text.