The escalating rate of mental health issues among American college students is well documented, dominating headlines and overwhelming college counseling centers. Understanding how to support students with an increasing array of emotional and behavioral health issues has become one of the biggest challenges – and highest priorities – for college and university presidents and their senior leaders.

For many, the college mental health crisis has inspired a full examination of their institutions’ role in their students’ health and development.

Colleges and universities in 2019 are faced with a new reality regarding college student mental health – one that requires a move from crisis response and short-term strategies to an acknowledgement of the data and long-term solutions.

Georgetown University and the Mary Christie Foundation convened college and university leaders to explore the many considerations within this paradigm shift, including: What are the expectations for college student mental health among key stakeholders? What is the data telling us and how can we apply it? What are the emergent ideas – from best practices to new and innovative initiatives? And how do we work together to move from crisis to structure?

The presidents, system heads, chancellors, and experts brought knowledge, insight, and perspective to this first meeting on college student mental health. Their contributions will create a vision and agenda for the March 2-3, 2020 meeting where leaders from these same institutions will develop actionable principles for campuses throughout the country to engender and support well-being and success among the college student population.

Photos from the Presidents’ Convening on Student Behavioral Health and Wellness

Mary Christie Quarterly: Meeting of the Minds

Presidents' Convening Agenda