Why Student Health Issues on College Campuses Matter More Than Ever

We might expect that student health wouldn’t be a major issue on college campuses, but that assumption couldn’t be more off. Health and well-being challenges now significantly impact both students’ college retention rates and their chances of successfully graduating. This concern has led many campus leaders to double down on resources for student health and wellness—yet are these efforts making a difference?

This topic hits home for me. Years ago, my journey as a speaker began on college and university campuses, where I created a successful program that I called "How to Relax and Enjoy Being a Student and Passing Your Exams." At the time, stress management wasn’t a well-known term. I later adapted the seminar title to "Managing Exam Time Stress" and "Managing First-Year Stress" to address the specific pressures students faced. Now, decades later, we see these issues continue to gain more attention (just look at the stress from the election). So, the question is, are colleges truly meeting the needs of their students?

Let’s take a closer look at the state of wellness programs on college campuses today:

Wellness Investments and Mixed Student Satisfaction

A 2024 survey by Inside Higher Ed revealed that a striking 70% of colleges have made significant investments in wellness facilities or services aimed at improving student well-being. From expanded counseling services to stress management programs and mindfulness spaces, colleges are responding to what they recognize as a critical student need.

But here’s the kicker: students aren’t necessarily thrilled with these new offerings. According to a May 2024 Student Voice survey by Inside Higher Ed and Generation Lab, fewer than half (46%) of students rated their campus health and wellness services as either good or excellent. The largest portion (36%) found the services merely average, and a concerning 17% rated them as fair or poor. Essentially, over half of students feel their wellness needs aren’t being adequately met—a disappointing return on the colleges’ investments.

What Students Say Could Improve Their Well-Being

Despite their lukewarm reception to current services, students do value health and wellness programs. Nearly one in five (19%) students reported that if their colleges made more efforts to promote overall well-being, it would positively have an impact on their own mental health. 

There’s also a notable difference in how students at two-year community colleges view these services compared to their four-year college peers: 52% of community college students rated their wellness services as good or better, versus only 45% of students at four-year public institutions and just 39% at private colleges selected good or better.

Interestingly, more private college students (23%) expressed a desire for additional wellness offerings compared to their public school peers (19%), suggesting that private institutions may need to go a little further to enhance their wellness initiatives to meet these expectations.

Reflections and Looking Forward

Years ago, I thought my stress management workshops would be a temporary need because stress management would became standard practice. And today, I’m still helping people manage their stress through my seminars and several of my books, Managing Your Stress in Difficult Times and Switched-On Living.

For colleges and universities, the message is clear: wellness programs can’t just be a checked box; their services need to be adaptable, proactive, and closely aligned with students' needs. This shift not only supports individual student success but fosters a healthier, more engaged campus community. As wellness services continue to evolve, we’ll see which campuses lead the way in addressing the complex needs of modern students.

For resources on managing stress in college and beyond, you can find the e-book versions of my books at www.Teplitz.com under the Products link.

(Reported Better Health, October 2024)