For this year’s University Mental Health Day, help students thrive with comprehensive and accessible mental health support. 

For students, enrolling in higher education is about much more than furthering one’s studies; it is seen as a critical stage in students’ transition into adulthood. These short but formative years are a time for students to form lasting and meaningful relationships, develop crucial life skills, and broaden their perspective on the world and the role they play in it. More importantly, earning a degree and exhibiting mastery of the experiences that come with it is considered the key to unlocking the door to better job opportunities and career success. 

To take advantage of all the opportunities higher education has to offer, students must be able to strike a balance between completing their assignments, staying involved on campus, fulfilling personal obligations, and maintaining their health and wellbeing. This can be particularly challenging for students during times of high stress—such as the start of a new school year, exams season, or freshman year. Research shows that more than 80 percent of students worldwide struggle to maintain their wellbeing and manage high levels of stress—increasing their risk of mental illness, poor academic performance, burnout, and dropping out. 

To help students achieve strong wellbeing, institutional leaders will need to implement proactive, accessible, and stigma-free mental health strategies. The following are 7 strategies leaders can adopt to advance mental wellbeing on campus.  

Strengthening Mental Health Support for Students: 7 Strategies for Post-Secondary Institutions

1. Expand and streamline counselling services.

Traditional counseling services often come with long wait times and limited availability. Institutions should focus on increasing accessibility by offering flexible scheduling, walk-in options, and virtual support. Creating clear, well-promoted pathways for students to seek help—without bureaucratic obstacles—ensures more students get the support they need when they need it.

2. Build a network of peer support.

Professional therapy is valuable, but students also benefit from connecting with peers who understand their struggles. Peer support programs, mentorship initiatives, and student-led mental health groups provide accessible, judgment-free spaces for students to talk openly. Training students in basic mental health first aid can also equip them to support each other and recognize when professional help is needed.

3. Leverage technology for 24/7 support.

Mental health struggles don’t operate on a 9-to-5 schedule. Institutions must integrate digital resources like on-demand counseling apps, mental health chat services, and self-guided well-being tools. A strong online support network ensures students can access help outside of traditional office hours and in ways that feel comfortable to them.

4. Normalise mental health conversations.

Breaking the stigma around mental health starts with leadership. Schools should host open forums, mental health awareness events, and storytelling initiatives where students and faculty share their experiences. Faculty and staff can also play a critical role by incorporating mental health check-ins into their interactions with students, ensuring that well-being is part of the academic culture.

5. Promote students’ school-life balance.

A culture of overwork and stress shouldn’t be the norm in higher education. Schools need to actively promote balance through wellness programs, structured downtime, and policies that encourage students to take breaks without fear of falling behind. Encouraging time management skills, mindfulness practices, and healthy lifestyle habits can equip students to handle stress more effectively.

6. Provide mental health training to faculty and staff.

Professors and university staff are often the first to notice when a student is struggling. Training them to recognize signs of distress, respond appropriately, and guide students toward resources can make a significant difference. A campus-wide commitment to mental health awareness ensures that no student falls through the cracks.

7. Make mental health a leadership priority.

Change starts at the top. University leaders must champion mental health initiatives, allocate resources, and ensure policies reflect a genuine commitment to student well-being. When students see their institution taking mental health seriously, they’re more likely to feel supported and seek help when needed. 

In Conclusion: Healthy Minds Fuel Bright Futures 

A thriving campus is one where students feel seen, supported, and empowered to seek help without hesitation. By making mental health a core priority, post-secondary institutions aren’t just improving student well-being—they’re shaping a future where young adults can succeed, both in school and in life. 

By offering crucial mental health support and normalizing vulnerable conversations at a time when students are most impressionable and looking to those in authority to discern what behaviors are acceptable, institutional leaders can set students up to take better, proactive care of their health in the future and access critical support when it’s needed most.