Mental health covers our emotions, thoughts, and social connections. It influences the way we think, feel, and behave, as well as how we manage stress, connect with others, and make decisions.
When our mental health is strong, it helps us handle daily challenges, enjoy life, and find purpose. On the other hand, struggling with mental health can affect our physical well-being, self-esteem, and the way we relate to people and the world around us.
Mental health isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity.
Oct. 9, 2025, 10:31 AM
College is often described as one of the most transformative periods in a person’s life. It's a time of growth, discovery, independence—and intense pressure. Between juggling coursework, part-time jobs, social expectations, and future career concerns, students are navigating a high-stress environment that can take a serious toll on their mental well-being.
Good mental health is the foundation for effective learning. When students are struggling with anxiety, depression, or chronic stress, their ability to concentrate, retain information, and perform academically diminishes. Studies consistently show a strong link between untreated mental health issues and lower GPA, higher dropout rates, and academic probation. Taking care of mental health helps students stay focused, motivated, and resilient in the face of academic challenges.
For many students, college is their first time living away from home. Adjusting to a new environment, managing finances, forming new relationships, and making important life decisions—all while being expected to succeed academically—can feel overwhelming. This combination of freedom and responsibility often leads to high stress levels. Regular self-care and mental health check-ins can help students maintain balance and avoid burnout.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 75% of mental health conditions begin by age 24. This makes the college years a crucial period for recognizing and addressing mental health concerns. By prioritizing mental health early on, students can develop coping mechanisms, seek support, and build a strong foundation for long-term well-being.
The stigma surrounding mental health is steadily declining, especially among younger generations. More colleges now offer mental health resources, including counseling services, wellness programs, and peer support groups. Taking advantage of these services should be seen as a strength, not a weakness. Acknowledging and addressing mental health needs is a sign of self-awareness and maturity.
College is not only about academics—it’s also a time for forming meaningful relationships and social networks. Poor mental health can strain friendships, lead to isolation, or cause conflict. When students prioritize their emotional well-being, they’re better equipped to communicate, empathize, and maintain healthy, supportive relationships.
Developing healthy mental habits in college sets the stage for life after graduation. The workplace brings its own pressures and challenges, and individuals who have learned how to manage stress, seek help, and maintain mental wellness are better prepared to thrive in the real world.
Mental health isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. In the high-pressure environment of college, students must learn to treat their mental well-being with the same importance as their academic success. By doing so, they not only improve their college experience but also set themselves up for a healthier, more balanced future. After all, no grade or degree is worth sacrificing your peace of mind.
"Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter moves between two worlds: the poor neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Khalil was unarmed. Soon afterward, his death is a national headline. Some are calling him a thug, maybe even a drug dealer and a gangbanger. Protesters are taking to the streets in Khalil's name. Some cops and the local drug lord try to intimidate Starr and her family. What everyone wants to know is: what really went down that night? And the only person alive who can answer that is Starr. But what Starr does or does not say could upend her community. It could also endanger her life.
– Tracee Herbaugh
As this book follows a Black family and a white family discussing the police shooting of a Black man, its first page reads, “the grown-ups didn’t think the kids knew about it.” Amid nationwide conversations about race, many parents assume children are in the dark or unable to have meaningful discussions about racism. But children hear the murmurings and have questions. Shutting those down means lost opportunities for learning. A growing body of research shows children begin to notice race years before adults want to talk about it with them. Delaying these conversations and ignoring the realities of racism could make children more susceptible to racist beliefs. After all, it’s the adult’s responsibility to help children make sense of their social world. “Something Happened” approaches these conversations with care and includes child-friendly discussion guides curated by child psychologists to help encourage vital parent-child conversations about race.
– Fernando
For young women struggling with mental health struggles, the loss of a loved one, the loss of innocence and outdated expectations that often come with growing up in a Latino household, Sanchez’s 2017 YA novel can be a lifeline. High school is a tough time, and young people in particular pick up a book to escape reality or to make sense of the changing world around them – reading makes them feel safe enough to express how they’re feeling. And making a book like Sanchez’s inaccessible hinders the representation young Latino readers need.
– Avila
Angelou’s beautifully written autobiographical novel touches on two important and painful subjects that often get it banned from schools: rape and racism. While they may not be the most comfortable topics, they’re still as prevalent now as they were in 1969, when the book was published. It features some graphic depictions, but the sad truth is these topics are not new to many young adults, and reading about Angelou’s healing journey is instrumental in letting them know they’re not alone. Simply banning a book that depicts rape and racism doesn’t shield readers from facing them in their lives; it just removes another resource that may help them move forward.
– Kate Ellsworth
An epic tale of fathers and sons, of friendship and betrayal, that takes us from Afghanistan in the final days of the monarchy to the atrocities of the present. The unforgettable, heartbreaking story of the unlikely friendship between a wealthy boy and the son of his father's servant, The Kite Runner, is a beautifully crafted novel set in a country that is in the process of being destroyed. It is about the power of reading, the price of betrayal, and the possibility of redemption, and it is also about the power of fathers over sons-their love, their sacrifices, their lies.
– Greta Cross
'Of Mice and Men" revolves around the friendship between two migrant workers during the Great Depression. I remember reading the book for my high school English class and thinking about loneliness as well as companionship. The two protagonists are brought together by a shared dream of purchasing land that's eventually shattered by the predatory social environment for migrant workers. With this book, school-age readers have the opportunity to examine the conflict between reality and the American dream, in addition to human friendships.
– Rayna Song