College students who report feeling lonely are more than four times more likely to experience severe psychological distress.
WASHINGTON , May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Today, Active Minds, in close collaboration with TimelyCare, a higher education virtual health provider, announced new data highlighting the close connection between loneliness and mental health. , emphasized the serious impact that loneliness has on people. Mental distress among students.
A survey of approximately 1,100 college and university students in the United States found that nearly two-thirds (64.7%) of college students reported feeling lonely, and the majority (51.7%) of college students reported feeling lonely due to the mental health of their friends. It turned out that he was worried about. Ten (28.8%) college students reported severe psychological distress. US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has said loneliness will be a public health “epidemic” in 2023, but new data suggests this is especially true for LGBQ+ college students, who are 70.3 % of non-LGBQ+ students perceived themselves as lonely, compared to 60.6% of non-LGBQ+ students.
College students who report feeling lonely are more than four times more likely to experience severe psychological distress.
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Two-thirds (62.7%) of college students believe mental health is an important issue on campus, but students are encouraged to proactively identify mental health challenges, brainstorm common solutions, and encourage others to Only half (50%) believe they work collaboratively with students and organizations to solve problems. Improving mental health on college campuses.
Active Minds and TimelyCare conducted this survey in February to understand how college students value and prioritize their mental health at an individual, interpersonal, community, and national level. Students’ perceptions of their own and others’ mental health shape their college experience. Caring for student mental health is necessary for student engagement, belonging, retention, and degree completion. This study provides insight into common concerns regarding college students' sense of belonging, social connectedness, and mental health. This strengthens Active Her Mind's contribution to the mental health field by highlighting the power that already exists within the movement of mental health advocates. By supporting these champions, Active Minds aims to achieve lasting change in how society views and prioritizes mental health.
“Loneliness is a clear factor in the well-being of college students,” says Alison Marmon, founder and executive director of Active Minds. “Our data reveals stories of isolation and pain, not just statistics. By fostering connection, empathy, and shared concern, we can rewrite the story of mental health on campus. As champions of well-being, we can work together to transform isolation into community and belonging.”
Other key takeaways from the data include:
College students who report feeling lonely are more than four times more likely to experience severe psychological distress. 28.4% of students reported feeling isolated from others, 23.1% felt excluded, and 21% reported having no peers. Black and Latino college students value good mental health and mental health care the most compared to other racial and ethnic groups. LGBTQ+ students were more likely than non-LGBTQ+ students to prioritize the mental health of their friends. More than half (53.7%) of college students surveyed said their mental health care influences their actions and the decisions that guide them. Compared to students attending two-year colleges, students at four-year colleges are more likely to report that students on campus are concerned about mental health, talk openly about mental health, and have mental health concerns in the campus community. A higher proportion of students agree that they believe in making an impact and working together to improve student mental health.
“Universities invest heavily in the mental health of their students, and these findings highlight the critical role that fostering a sense of belonging and ensuring students always have access to a wide range of support resources plays. Dr. Bob Booth, TimelyCare's Chief Care Officer, emphasized: . “Communities of peers are very effective because they allow students to provide support and encouragement to those who are struggling and let them know they are not alone. We are proud to partner with Active Minds to help students become healthier and more successful in all aspects of life. ”
The full report can be downloaded here.
About active mind
Active Minds is a leading nonprofit organization focused on mobilizing youth and young adults and dedicated to raising mental health awareness and providing resources for mental health support. With a mission to reduce stigma and foster open conversation, Active Her Mind plays a vital role in fostering a supportive mental health community. For more information, please visit www.activeminds.org.
About timely care
TimelyCare is higher education's most trusted virtual health and well-being provider, with a mission to promote student success and improve the health and well-being of our campus communities. Founded in 2017, his TimelyCare currently serves more than 2.3 million students, educators, and staff at more than 350 campuses nationwide. A comprehensive suite of services, including mental health counseling, on-demand emotional support, medical and psychiatric care, health coaching, student success coaching, basic needs assistance, faculty and staff guidance, peer support, and self-guided wellness tools, make your school's resources more accessible. It expands our breadth and enables our students, educators, and staff to be healthy and thrive in all areas of their lives.
Source Timely Care
