Navigating Mental Health Resources for Students

The emotional and psychological well-being of students is paramount for their healthy development, academic success, and overall ability to lead productive lives. Schools play a crucial role in promoting mental health and providing necessary support systems. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of mental health resources available for students, encompassing various programs, services, and strategies designed to address their unique needs.

The Importance of Mental Health in Schools

A major aspect of the school environment includes promoting the mental health of all students and providing programs and services to address those needs. Schools are often the first point of contact for detecting mental health concerns outside of the home. Early detection and intervention are key to preventing the escalation of mental illness and ensuring students receive timely support. Approximately one in six school-aged youth experiences impairments in life functioning, including impacts on academic achievement, due to mental illness. The number of students experiencing mental illness increases as young people grow older.

Comprehensive School Mental Health Systems

A comprehensive school mental health system addresses multiple areas to support an integrated implementation strategy. The eight key components of such a system include:

Building Skills Related to Managing Emotions: Equipping students with the tools to understand and regulate their emotions.
Establishing and Maintaining Positive Relationships: Fostering healthy social connections and communication skills.
Responsible Decision-Making: Teaching students to make informed and ethical choices.
Early Mental Health Prevention and Intervention: Implementing programs to identify and address mental health concerns early on.
Grief-Informed and Trauma-Informed Practices: Providing support and understanding to students who have experienced loss or trauma.
Positive Youth Development: Promoting strengths-based approaches to help students thrive.
Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports: Creating a positive and supportive school climate.
Safe, Supportive, and Positive School Climates: Cultivating an environment where students feel safe, respected, and valued.
Substance Abuse Prevention and Intervention: Educating students about the risks of substance abuse and providing support for those struggling with addiction.
Suicide Prevention, Intervention, and Postvention: Implementing strategies to prevent suicide, intervene when students are at risk, and provide support after a suicide.

Mental Health Resources in Texas

In Texas, numerous collaborative efforts, statutes, services, programs, and strategies are available to support the identification of mental health challenges and to address them. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has partnered with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to implement programs that deploy evidence-based mental health resources to campuses.

Mental Health Training Requirement

House Bill 3 established a requirement that each district employee who regularly interacts with students complete an evidence-based mental health training program. This program is designed to provide instruction regarding the recognition and support of children and youth who experience a mental health or substance use issue that may pose a threat to school safety.

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Mental Health Plans and Reports

TEA has developed several statewide plans for student mental health, including:

TEA Statewide Plan for Student Mental Health (Revised 2026)
TEA Statewide Plan for Student Mental Health (2025-2030 Plan Refresh)
TEA Statewide Plan for Student Mental Health (December 2020)

The Collaborative Task Force on Public School Mental Health Services has also released external reports in 2025, 2023 and 2020 that provide valuable insights and recommendations.

Senate Bill 279 and Suicide Prevention

Senate Bill 279 is intended to help prevent youth suicides by providing national crisis-line numbers to students on their student identification (IDs) issued by the school to students in grades 6-12. The goal is to equip students with awareness, information, and immediate access to help in a crisis.

Project Restore

Project Restore addresses the extraordinary and unprecedented needs resulting from school closures and remote learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This trauma-informed training video series is designed to address the emotional needs of both educators and students, connecting them to relevant science and strategies.

Mental and Behavioral Health Recommended Evidence-Based Programs and Research-Based Practices Repository

TEA and HHSC have compiled a list of practices and programs to create the Mental and Behavioral Health Recommended Evidence-Based Programs and Research-Based Practices Repository. School systems may use these competencies when evaluating programs or practices, ensuring that locally selected approaches are aligned with statutory requirements.

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Mental Health Resources for Weather and Disasters

The need for mental health resources in the context of weather and disasters is paramount. Natural disasters such as floods and hurricanes can have a devastating effect not only on physical infrastructure but also on the mental well-being of individuals and communities. Immediate and long-term mental support is crucial to help individuals process their experiences, cope with loss, and rebuild their lives.

College Student Mental Health Toolkit

The MHC College Student Mental Health Toolkit is designed to equip college students with the resources, services, and support needed to thrive as they transition into the beginning of adult life. It provides key background information on college students’ mental health, tips for students on maintaining their mental health and well-being, and advice for fostering mental health awareness on every college campus.

The College Student Mental Health Crisis

Today’s generation of college students and young adults are much more open about their mental health and wellbeing compared to older generations, getting us closer to breaking the stigma surrounding mental illness. Despite this openness, various mental health conditions that aren’t anxiety and depression are still highly stigmatized and many young people suffer in silence. With 73% of college students experiencing some form of mental illness during their academic journey, it’s critical that mental health conversations and resources reach those who need help navigating their struggles.

Common Mental Health Issues Facing College Students

Depression: Symptoms include decreased interest or pleasure in activities, lack of energy, and feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness. DBSA offers free, online support groups.
Anxiety: Recurring intrusive thoughts or concerns, often manifesting through physical symptoms. ADAA provides resources and support for anxiety.
Suicide: The 2nd leading cause of death among young people. Contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988, or Crisis Text Line by texting ‘COALITION’ to 741741.
Eating Disorders: Pathological disturbances of attitudes and behaviors related to food. The National Alliance for Eating Disorders offers free, therapist-led support groups.
Addiction: Psychological or physical dependence on alcohol or other drugs. Shatterproof provides resources and an addiction treatment center atlas.

Mental Health and Academic Achievement

Common student mental health conditions - such as depression and anxiety - are strong predictors of negative academic outcomes (GPA). Students who screen at-risk for depression are twice as likely to leave college without graduating. The Impact of COVID-19 has taken a dramatic toll on college students’ well‐being.

Barriers to Seeking Help

Stigma: Fear of judgment from peers or faculty.
Lack of Services: Limited clinical services and mental health personnel on college campuses.
Lack of Information: Minimal knowledge about how and where to get help.

Daily Mental Health Tips for Students

Practicing Self-Care in College

Self-care is defined as the practice of taking an active role in protecting one’s own well-being and happiness, in particular during periods of stress. It is crucial to maintaining one’s mental and physical health.

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Here are some self-care practices that are free and accessible to college students:

Go for a walk: Clear your mind and increase energy levels.
Schedule social time: Maintain important social connections.
Maintain a healthy sleep schedule: Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep.
Keep a journal: Promote feelings of gratitude.
Watch something: Escape the stresses of reality for a couple hours.
Do some yoga: Connect with your body and enhance your breathing.
Clean your space: Create a clear mind.
Make art: Relax and escape.
Practice breathing exercises: Relieve tension.
Try the Pomodoro Technique: Alternate 20-minute work sessions with 5-minute breaks.

Additional Tips

Search online for your college’s counseling services, operating hours, and locations
Confide in a trusted professor, especially if your schoolwork is being affected
Talk to your dorm’s Resident Advisor (RA) if you have one - they’re there to help
Reach out to trusted peers about your feelings - they may be going through something similar

Taking Action on Campus

Share your story: Help others feel safe opening up about their own struggles.
Learn to support a friend: Use the Mental Health Coalition’s Roadmap to Friends Supporting Friends.
Connect with student leaders: Collaborate on mental health projects.
Work with faculty and staff: Advocate for mental health resources in the classroom.
Organize a Q&A: Address anonymous questions about college mental health.
Join or start an Active Minds chapter: Lead discussion groups and programs about mental health.

Learning More About Mental Health

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) offers a variety of learning resources for students and teachers about mental health and the brain. These resources cover a wide range of topics to foster a supportive and informed learning environment.

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