Mental Health and Wellness in Higher Education

Capacity vs. Demand for Mental Health Services

Colleges across the nation are seeking new strategies to promote and protect student wellness. A study of 373 campuses found that during the 2020-21 academic year, over 60% of college students met the criteria for at least one mental health problem. A student’s mental health directly and significantly impacts their academic performance. According to a 2023 study by Gallup and the Lumina Foundation, 41% of students consider dropping out of college, with emotional stress and personal mental health cited as the top two reasons.

In 2021, CICU formed a Mental Health Working Group to lead the charge in addressing issues impacting student wellness. The Working Group successfully identified some of the most prominent challenges facing institutions. In response, the group offered QPR suicide prevention training to CICU members, and developed Mental Health Awareness Webinars, including presentations focused on eliminating the stigma surrounding mental health and equalizing the treatment of physical and mental health in athletics.

In 2024, CICU expanded on these efforts with the Student Wellness Working Group. Together, CICU and member institutions continue to explore new opportunities to support and improve mental health across New York.

CICU has published a report to assist our members in understanding the root causes of a critical workforce shortage in an increasingly important field. New York State is not alone in facing a mental health crisis – one that is further exacerbated by a severe shortage of mental health professionals. This report outlines the issues and proposes solutions to address this critical need.

Student Wellness Working Group

Purpose

To leverage the strong partnership between CICU and our member institutions and advance student wellness.
To capitalize on the expertise of CICU members on policy issues related to student wellness.
To identify and raise awareness of data-proven, scalable solutions to addressing the issues impacting student wellness.

Scope of Focus

The Student Wellness Working Group will focus on the following areas:

- Student and employee mental health

- Campus security and public safety

- Student food and housing insecurity

Additional issues that impact student success and/or wellbeing

Members

The Student Wellness Working Group is comprised of a diverse range of faculty, staff, and administrators from across CICU member institutions who provide expertise through first-hand experience with students on campus.

- Coreen Bohl, Director of Counseling, Clarkson University

- Lindsay Brooks, Director of Wellness Center, Roberts Wesleyan University

- Alic Czachowski, Senior Executive Director for Alice! Health Promotion at Columbia Health, Columbia University

- Michelle Goode, MPH, CHES, Director of the Center for Health Promotion, Ithaca College

- Dr. Todd Harris, Vice President of Student Life & Dean of Students, Hilbert College

- Dr. Del Rey Honeycutt, Associate Dean for Student and Community Wellbeing, St. Bonaventure University

- Megan Jaros, Director of Student Case Management and Health Promotion, Rochester Institute of Technology

- Kevin Joyce, Vice President for Student Affairs, Mercy University

- Lily Nicholson, Student, Cornell University

- Joanna Ojada, Vice President for Student Services, Helene Fuld College of Nursing

- Debbie Owens, Associate Dean/Student Affairs and Title IX Coordinator, Canisius University

- Dr. Carrie Roberts, Associate Vice President for Experiential Education and Wellness, Keuka College

- Jenean Tarranto, Associate Dean for Student Affairs, Albany Law School

- Dr. Maria Thomadaki, Associate Professor, Northeast College of Health Sciences

- Juan Tie, Executive Director for Global Campus Safety Administration, Planning, Policy & Engagement, New York University

- Dr. Wendy Trevor, Vice President for Strategic Innovation and Partnerships, Maria College