Beneath the buzz of campus life, including study sessions, athletic events, and late-night coffee runs, many college students are quietly fighting battles that rarely make it into conversation. Anxiety, depression, and burnout are climbing to record levels on campuses nationwide, creating what many educators now call a hidden mental health crisis.
The 2024 American College Health Association reports that more than 60 percent of students experienced “overwhelming anxiety” in the past year, and nearly half said they felt so depressed it was difficult to function. Counselors say those numbers have risen steadily for more than a decade, even as universities expand their wellness services.
Students’ Confessions
For students like junior communication major Gracie Cleveland, the pressure to keep up is relentless. Between classes and her part-time job, she spends most days racing from one responsibility to the next. “Being constantly busy has held me back,” Cleveland said. “By the time I finish my schoolwork or get off work and finally have free time, I’m normally exhausted. I feel like I’m supposed to have everything together, but inside I’m falling apart.”
Like many students, Cleveland hasn’t yet turned to campus counseling, mostly because she feels she doesn’t have the time. Instead, she tries to cope by carving out small moments of joy. “Sometimes even just watching a movie with my roommates or going shopping for a little retail therapy helps me breathe again,” she said.
For senior nutrition and dietetics major Alayna Pfau, the transition into adulthood has brought its own emotional weight. “College has affected my mental health drastically,” she said. “While I love college, I feel it has drained me in certain ways, made me scared of my own thoughts, and made me question my self-worth.” She admitted she thrives on staying busy, balancing classes, her job, and sports, but said that constant motion can cause its own problems. “I get overwhelmed easily, even if I don’t show it. I feel the need for academic validation and success while balancing a social life. My plate gets full really easily.”
When stress builds, Pfau tries to stay productive with “lighter” tasks, like reading or doing simple assignments, so she still feels like she is accomplishing something. And while she hasn’t reached out to campus counseling yet, she says she wants to. “I haven’t gone because of time management,” Pfau said. “But that’s an excuse I could work around. I’m definitely interested in talking to a counselor.”
Junior Stephanie Burg remembers feeling both empowered and overwhelmed when she first started college. “Since moving to college, I’ve had mixed feelings about my mental health,” Burg said. “Being in college has taught me independence and confidence, but everything can get overwhelming with balancing work, schoolwork, and my social life. I definitely have moments where I get anxious and burnt out.”
Last year, after a difficult time in her personal life, Burg did seek help from a campus therapist. “It was a wonderful experience,” she said. “She really helped me get through that time and gave me skills that I could use when those feelings came back up.” One of the most important things Burg has learned from her journey is recognizing her own strength. “I’m much more resilient than I give myself credit for,” she said. “When I’m going through a hard time, I let myself feel those emotions for a bit and then start working toward bettering myself. Nothing gets solved if you push it down.”
Student-athletes are no exception
For student-athletes, the struggle can look a little different, but the emotional toll can be just as heavy. After talking to sports psychologist Madison Thorson, she described the growing pressure many athletes face. “Mental health in athletes has become more talked about in the last couple of years,” she said. “One of the most prevalent issues is the pressure they put on themself. It causes performance issues, self-doubt, and anxiety.” Along with the expectations on the court or field, athletes deal with homesickness, academic stress, and the constant drive to perform.
Recent NCAA data shows that 22 percent of student-athletes are at risk for depression, and almost 30 percent of female athletes report overwhelming anxiety on a daily basis. Yet fewer than half say they feel fully comfortable seeking professional help. Thorson added that support from coaches can make or break an athlete’s willingness to reach out. “When coaches support mental health, athletes are more open to asking for help,” she said.
These challenges faced by athletes are not isolated; they mirror the broader emotional strain experienced by many students across college campuses. While athletes may feel the added weight of performance expectations, the pressures affecting their mental health reflect a much larger, campuswide reality. The unwillingness to seek support, the fear of judgment, and the struggle to balance constant demands are experiences shared by students far beyond the world of sports.
You Are Not Alone
Through all the chaos of deadlines, exams, and expectations, students like Cleveland, Pfau, and Burg say they’ve learned the importance of connection and vulnerability. As Pfau put it, “I’ve learned that I’m not alone. If you have the right people in your life, they’ll want to help and support you.”
For now, students keep pushing forward – resilient, hopeful, and determined to make the hidden struggles of college life a little less silent. Students can contact their campus wellness center or reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for free, confidential support 24/7 if they are having mental health struggles and need someone to talk to.