At Vaughn College, we maintain a long-standing commitment to the mental health and overall wellness of our students. Personal well-being is essential to academic achievement and professional success. The latest Healthy Minds Study 2024–2025 data report shows a measurable improvement in college students’ mental health nationwide compared to prior years.

This encouraging shift comes at an important time. Vaughn College is proud to highlight these findings while reaffirming our commitment to providing accessible mental health resources that help students thrive in college and beyond.

Positive Shift in Student Mental Health

For the third consecutive year, the 2024–2025 Healthy Minds Study reveals continued improvement in college students’ mental health.

The percentage of students reporting moderate-to-severe depression declined from 44% in 2022 to 37% in 2025. The rate of severe depression alone fell from 23% to 18%. Moderate-to-severe anxiety decreased from 37% to 32% over the same period. Additionally, the percentage of students who reported seriously considering suicide in the past year declined from 15% in 2022 to 11% in 2025.

These sustained improvements suggest meaningful progress in supporting student well-being nationwide. Continued investment in campus counseling and mental health services—like those available at Vaughn College in New York City—plays an important role in that progress.

How Vaughn’s Resources Support Student Well-Being

At Vaughn, counseling and wellness services help create a supportive campus environment where students can prioritize mental health, build resilience and access help when needed.

“We work collaboratively to ensure students have access to all available resources, including counseling and wellness services,” said Mona El-Shahat, executive director of counseling and wellness at Vaughn College. “We provide individual and group counseling as well as topic-specific workshops, training and psychoeducational programming for anyone who requests it. We also speak to classes about our programs and support services.”

Although the Healthy Minds Study does not conclude that counseling services alone caused the national improvements, colleges like Vaughn that offer accessible and confidential support reduce barriers to care. Early intervention encourages students to seek help sooner and provides tools for managing stress before concerns escalate.

“Making mental health a priority in conversations across campus helps destigmatize asking for support,” El-Shahat said. “Our counseling services are free and confidential throughout the academic year for all enrolled students.”

El-Shahat also stated that staying visible during campus events helps keep mental health services top of mind for students and faculty. She also hosts programs in conjunction with other departments such as residential life, prevention education and career services. “We also run the campus food pantry which has seen an uptick, so students who utilize our pantry are able to seek counseling support when they are ready,” said El-Shahat. 

Common Challenges That Bring Students to Counseling

While national data highlights declines in depression and anxiety, many students seek counseling for everyday challenges that affect well-being and academic success.

Common concerns include:

• Feelings of sadness or loneliness
• Excessive worry
• Difficulty managing strong emotions
• Persistent negative thinking
• Trouble concentrating
• Low motivation
• Social challenges or difficulty feeling connected
• Grief or loss
• Family or relationship concerns
• Communication challenges
• Changes in sleep or eating habits
• Traumatic or painful experiences
• Difficulty adjusting to college life
• Academic concerns 

Counseling services provide a safe, supportive space where students can build coping skills and strengthen resilience so they can succeed personally and academically.

“I want students to know that my door is always open to them (when I’m not in session) to discuss services or concerns,” El-Shahat said. “It’s important for them to understand that conversations remain confidential. We want our students to feel safe when seeking services.”

Read our blog, “A Spotlight on Mental Health and How to Stay Mentally Healthy in College.”

Tips for Maintaining Healthy Mental Wellness

Campus resources and community connections make a powerful difference. Students can also adopt simple daily habits to support mental wellness throughout the semester:

Make rest a priority.

Sleep is one of the most effective tools for mental wellness. A consistent sleep routine improves focus, strengthens emotional balance and supports academic performance.

Create stabilizing routines.

Establishing regular times for meals, studying and self-care helps create structure and calm during busy semesters.

Take intentional breaks.

Short breaks, fresh air or unplugging briefly can prevent burnout and support long-term success.

Stay active in enjoyable ways.

Movement is a natural stress reliever. Walking across campus, stretching between classes or participating in student activities can improve mood and energy.

Stay connected.

Reaching out to a friend, joining a student organization or spending time in supportive campus spaces helps students feel less alone and more supported.

Set healthy boundaries.

Saying “no” when necessary protects time and energy while creating space for balance.

Use support resources early.

Do not wait until stress feels overwhelming. Vaughn encourages students to take advantage of counseling services, wellness initiatives, academic support and trusted faculty and staff resources whenever needed.

Practice self-compassion.

College is a period of growth and change. Progress may not always be linear—and that’s OK.

Want to hear more about top wellness tips? Listen to our futureproof Focus Podcast, “Top Health and Wellness Tips for College Students.” 

Contact the Office of Counseling and Wellness for Upcoming Events 

The office of counseling and wellness hosts workshops and programming on topics such as self-care, burnout, grief and loss, journaling, time management, mindfulness, communication, boundaries and more. To find out more, stop by the office or contact Mona El-Shahat, the director of counseling and wellness, at  718.429.6600 ext. 350 or via email at .