College Depression Drops 3rd Year, Severe Cases Down 22%

After years of alarming headlines about college mental health, the numbers are finally moving in the right direction.

The annual Healthy Minds Study surveyed over 84,000 students at 135 colleges and found rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts declining for the third straight year. Severe depression fell to 18% in 2025, down from 23% in 2022, while suicidal thoughts decreased from 15% to 11%.

"These sustained reductions tell me this is not a blip," said Justin Heinze, a co-principal investigator of the study. Whether it's distance from the pandemic, better institutional support, or something else, he sees a promising counter-narrative emerging.

The study has tracked student mental health since 2007, making these consecutive drops particularly meaningful. Moderate or higher depressive symptoms have decreased every single year from 2022 to 2025.

What's driving the change remains partially unclear, but the improvement is widespread. Mental health service use has stayed stable over the past four years, with 60% of students experiencing depression or anxiety symptoms now receiving clinical treatment.

The Ripple Effect

The improvement extends beyond just student surveys. About half of college faculty and staff now have conversations with students about mental health, showing increased awareness across campuses nationwide.

However, challenges remain. About half of faculty and staff said they weren't confident recognizing a student in distress, pointing to opportunities for better training. Co-principal investigator Sarah Ketchen Lipson noted that bringing mental health training into required faculty spaces sends an important message that wellbeing is integral to education.

Disparities among student groups persist, though researchers like Sasha Zhou see solutions emerging. Affinity-based peer support programs, curriculum-integrated psychoeducation, and social-emotional learning approaches show promise in supporting underrepresented students.

Loneliness and lack of optimism still affect many students, but the range of help is expanding. Digital and mobile mental health services are evolving rapidly and growing popular among students seeking support.

Daniel Eisenberg, another co-principal investigator, sees an important challenge ahead: helping students navigate their many options and find resources that fit their individual needs and preferences.

After years of worry, the data offers something college communities desperately needed: genuine, measurable hope.