#USA #New York #mental health #Princeton Review #Ruderman Foundation

Significant Improvements in Campus Mental Health Services

The results from The Princeton Review's second annual Campus Mental Health Survey, conducted in partnership with the Ruderman Family Foundation, highlight encouraging growth in mental health support across U.S. colleges. The 2025 survey indicates considerable advancements in counseling and wellness programs, revealing that 61% of institutions now provide formal support for students returning from mental health-related leave, demonstrating an 18% increase from the prior year.

Expanding Access to Resources

The survey, which engaged over 31,000 students from 300 colleges, as well as administrators from 540 institutions—more than double the participants from last year—indicates a widespread commitment to enhancing students' mental health and wellness.

Some key highlights from the 2024-2025 survey findings include:

• - 76% of colleges have accredited counseling centers (up from 61% in 2023).
• - 64% of colleges now operate fully staffed counseling centers year-round (a rise from 56% in the previous year).
• - 93% of colleges incorporate mental health and wellness into their residential life programs (up from 79% in 2023).

The Princeton Review’s report not only sheds light on these figures but also marks the continuation of an initiative that will extend through 2028. The ongoing project assesses campus mental health resources, supporting efforts to raise awareness and accessibility on college campuses.

Mental Health Services Honor Roll

In conjunction with survey results, The Princeton Review has introduced a Mental Health Services Honor Roll, recognizing colleges that exhibit outstanding dedication to student mental health initiatives. For the 2026 Honor Roll, thirty institutions have been identified, up from sixteen last year. This sharpened focus emphasizes a collective responsibility to ensure that mental health remains a priority within academic environments.

Honorees Include:

• - Arizona State University (Tempe, AZ)
• - Columbia University (New York, NY)
• - Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Cambridge, MA)
• - Princeton University (Princeton, NJ), among others.

Continued Efforts for Awareness

Healthcare experts, including Jay Ruderman, President of the Ruderman Family Foundation, hailed the progress evident in these findings. Ruderman remarked on the importance of ongoing partnerships to enhance mental health support systems, indicating that these initiatives are vital as they aim to reduce stigma and promote inclusivity within higher education.

Rob Franek, Editor-in-Chief of The Princeton Review, expressed pride in the collaboration with the Ruderman Family Foundation, stating that this partnership aims not only to amplify awareness around mental health but also to address the hardships students face during their college years. He further noted that the increased availability of these resources is fundamental for students coping with various challenges, from academic pressures to emotional well-being.

Insights from Students

The survey offered compelling insights from students regarding their perception of mental health resources on their campuses. Notable findings include:

• - 79% of students agree that they know how to access mental health resources.
• - 76% believe mental health services are readily available to them.
• - 66% feel that their college prioritizes mental health issues.

This feedback underscores the progress made, yet also highlights the areas requiring further attention and development.

Concluding Thoughts

As mental health awareness continues to grow, the implications of these survey findings will likely influence prospective students' decisions regarding college applications. An impressive 81% of respondents from a related survey indicated that knowledge of a college's mental health services impacts their choice to apply. Such statistics underscore the critical nature of mental health initiatives in the overall academic experience.

The Princeton Review and the Ruderman Family Foundation's collective effort stand as commendable examples of how proactive measures in education can lead to healthier student communities. With a commitment to persistence and innovation in mental health services, universities have the opportunity to foster environments where students can thrive mentally and academically.