Amid rising concerns about student mental health in the United States, educators and professionals are pushing for more accessible support systems, including school-based therapy programs.
At Mississippi State University, students and staff said earlier access to mental health resources can have a lasting impact, especially as more young adults arrive on campus already experiencing stress.
Research from the Walton Family Foundation indicates that 42% of Generation Z report depression and hopelessness, nearly twice the rate of Americans over 25. In response, school-based therapy programs are increasing, placing licensed counselors in schools so students can access care during the day.
Advocates say accessibility is the primary benefit. Offering therapy in schools removes barriers such as cost and scheduling conflicts and allows counselors to better understand students’ daily stressors in a familiar setting.
Mental health support offers benefits beyond well-being. Studies show that students who receive therapy often have improved focus and behavior and can navigate relationships with teachers and peers. Early intervention can also prevent minor issues from becoming more serious conditions.
Research published in PubMed Central supports this approach, concluding that schools are among the most effective settings for delivering mental health services because students spend a significant amount of time there. These programs also help identify concerns earlier and reduce stigma by normalizing care in everyday environments.
Megan Marie, a senior psychology major, said mental health support is “extremely important,” especially during major life transitions.
“College is a very big change for a lot of people… it was the first time I was living without my parents… making my own decisions,” Marie said.
Marie said her challenges increased during her sophomore year and believes earlier exposure to mental health education could help students manage these pressures before college.
Hannah Bardwell, a behavioral health navigator with Student Health Services, said many students hesitate to seek help because they do not recognize when they need it.
She said stigma and a lack of open conversation can prevent students from understanding the importance of mental health care.
“You don’t have to be going through something,” Bardwell said. “It’s just a conversation between two people.”
Shanice White, director of Student Counseling Services, said the university is seeing students struggling with anxiety, depression and academic stress.
“Right now, we have a lot of students that are presenting with anxiety and depression… some suicidal ideations,” White said. “Students that are graduating trying to figure out what life after graduation looks like… students that are struggling academically.”
White said many students wait until problems reach a crisis point before seeking help.
“A lot of it is being conditioned to keep things that are private… or they mask and think they’ll navigate through some of the concerns,” she said. “Then when it hits a peak… then we see some students come in.”
She emphasized that addressing mental health requires a broader cultural shift across campus.
“It takes a community approach… not just the counseling center’s job,” she said. “It takes shifting the culture across the campus.”
White also advocated for trauma-informed practices in academic spaces, encouraging faculty and staff to approach students with understanding.
“Taking a trauma-informed approach…whether it’s just asking ‘How are you’ or ‘what happened to you?’… that’s a start,” she said.
Student Marie agrees that early exposure matters, but says therapy itself should remain a personal choice.
“A lot of what therapy is is choice… once you take that choice away from people… only harm would be done,” Marie said.
She said introducing therapy concepts in classrooms at a young age could help students better understand the process before they need support.
Nationwide data demonstrate measurable outcomes from these programs. For example, in the Los Angeles Unified School District, students participating in on-site counseling programs experienced a 60% reduction in disciplinary incidents and a 15% increase in attendance within one year. Similarly, a study from the Dallas Independent School District reported a 20% increase in graduation rates among students who received mental health support.
Despite these outcomes, funding remains a challenge. Hiring licensed therapists and developing programs requires significant investment, and some communities have raised concerns about privacy and parental involvement.
Schools are identifying strategies to adapt. Federal and state grants, partnerships with local mental health providers, plus collaborations with universities can help expand services. Programs that use interns or supervised trainees from counseling or social work departments may also reduce costs and increase access.
At Mississippi State University, counseling services are available, and new initiatives aim to reach students earlier.
White, the director, said new initiatives are planned for the upcoming fall semester, including early mental health screenings for incoming students to increase awareness and encourage support before problems escalate.
“We are actually pushing an early intervention method… providing free screenings so that students can become aware of mental health… and sign up for counseling early,” White said.