The Quality of Education and Its Impact on Mental Health

Every year, one in five U.S. adults experiences a mental health problem.¹ Mental health disorders are very common and are generally thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, such as inherited traits, brain chemistry imbalance and prenatal exposure to toxins or drugs and brain chemistry imbalance.²

Good mental health is important for everyone, including college students. For college students, the quality of education and its impact on mental health can be a significant concern. Every college student should know which support resources are available and take advantage of them whenever needed.

In This Article

• How Important Is a Student’s Mental Health?
• How Can Mental Health Affect Performance in School?
• What Is a Quality Education?
• How Can Quality Education Support Mental Wellness?
• Top Ways for Schools To Support Mental Health
• Health and Student Support Resources at GCU

How Important Is a Student’s Mental Health?

In college, mental health is crucial. Yet, mental health among college students appears to have worsened in recent years. According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), the number of college students reporting mental health problems increased by nearly 50% from 2013 to 2023. As of 2021, about 73% of students surveyed reported experiencing moderate to severe mental health symptoms.³

There are a number of reasons why college students might develop poor mental health, such as academic pressure, social stress and poor school-life balance.³ Despite these challenges, however, it's very important for students to work toward mental and emotional wellness. Mental health is important for students because it:⁴

• Affects a person’s brain and cognitive functioning
• Influences peer and family relationships
• May either enhance or detract from one’s self-esteem and quality of life
• Can cause physical health issues, such as insomnia, gastrointestinal complaints, headaches and even heart palpitations

How Can Mental Health Affect Performance in School?

The symptoms of mental health disorders can make school difficult because they can affect cognition. Poor mental health can cause problems in thinking clearly, remembering information, solving problems and engaging in analytical reasoning.⁴ All these issues can negatively affect performance in school and hinder students’ ability to learn.

When students start to do poorly in school because of mental health issues, this can further degrade their self-esteem. Essentially, this can create a negative cycle.

What Is a Quality Education?

A quality education includes not only the classes and programs a college offers, but also the support, environment and experience a student receives. Some believe that quality is linked only to traditional education aspects, and therefore only academic programs, faculty and learning tools can determine a college’s quality of education.

However, this perspective oversimplifies the college experience to only academic performance alone. Preparing students for their profession, equipping them with essential skills and knowledge and encouraging them to grow are also crucial in providing a quality education.

In this way, any college can provide a quality education as long as it prioritizes student success and wellness in addition to academic excellence. Any college can offer resources or opportunities, but a good college can inspire and motivate students to use them. This brings us back to mental health.

How Can Quality Education Support Mental Wellness?

A quality education may support mental health wellness by offering dependable services and communities. Curriculum and homework might not directly support mental health, but a supportive school environment may. One survey of college students with mental health issues discovered that about half of them did not access any mental health services.³ Yet, these campus resources, in general, can be integral to a student's progress and overall wellness.

When schools offer mental health resources and encourage students to use them, this can be a validating experience for students. Students may need to feel heard and understood — and that their concerns are important — before they feel comfortable enough to accept help. A supportive campus environment prioritizes mental health and fosters academic progress and quality of life.⁵ 

Top Ways for Schools To Support Mental Health

Colleges can take a number of practical steps to support mental health and cultivate a positive learning environment.

Increased Awareness From the Start

Not all college students are aware of campus resources, and not all feel comfortable accessing mental health services even when they know those services are available. Universities can be proactive about these issues by focusing on raising awareness of college mental health services, which can also help destigmatize mental healthcare.

It’s ideal to raise awareness right from the start of a student’s college years. Trained staff members can educate first-year students during orientation sessions about the importance of mental wellness and the availability of campus resources. Universities may also print resources directly on student ID cards.

Mental Health Screenings

Universities can encourage students to regularly check on their mental health by offering easily accessible mental health screenings. Some schools are even installing mental health checkup kiosks, where students can complete a brief questionnaire and receive information about mental health resources. Other schools are implementing online screenings.⁶

Online Self-Help Courses

Some universities may offer in-person mental health programs to students, while others may offer online self-help courses. Online self-help courses can cover important topics ranging from healthy stress management to adjusting to the campus environment. They can also educate students about issues like insomnia and healthy practices like mindfulness.

Mental Health Counseling

Mental health counseling is essential to a university’s student support resources. Ideally, there should be sufficient mental health counselors on campus to serve the entire campus population so that students experiencing severe distress do not have to wait too long for an appointment. Mental health counselors can help students talk through their troubles, learn coping strategies and turn negative behavioral patterns into positive ones.

Mental Health Task Force

A mental health task force can benefit the entire school community. Universities that create a mental health task force are taking a proactive approach to identifying potential areas of need and working toward solutions that directly benefit students. The mental health task force can serve as a coordinating body for positive change and a liaison between the mental health resources department and the school management team.

Faculty and Staff Training

Even with increased awareness of campus resources, not all students may be willing to use those services. Some students might not be willing to admit they need help; others may find themselves confiding in a trusted professor or staff member instead. It can be helpful for universities to offer training programs to faculty and staff members on recognizing and responding to mental health crises.

Health and Student Support Resources at GCU

At Grand Canyon University, we recognize the critical importance of college mental health. While the Canyon Health and Wellness Clinic cares for your physical health as a student on the GCU campus, the Office of Student Care supports your mental and emotional wellness.

Our on-campus students use our short-term, solutions-focused student care services, including psychoeducational programs and crisis counseling. We also offer all students — including our online students — mental health tips and online resources.

Our office also offers a series of Wellness Workshops that promote self-awareness, emotional regulation, healthy coping strategies and self-care. Individual and group resources, as well as referrals to on-campus and off-campus resources, are also available.

At GCU, we understand the importance of integrating mental health and wellness into the academic environment in order to support our students. Our private Christian university strives to cultivate a community where everyone can find their purpose.

When you apply to Grand Canyon University, you can choose from a wide range of degree programs in areas as diverse as healthcare and nursing to engineering and technology and beyond. If you’re interested in mental health as a career option, consider earning a consider earning a bachelor's or master's-level degree in either psychology or counseling and prepare for a career serving others. Fill out the form on this page today to speak with a university counselor about your degree options.