Student and Staff Mental Health & Wellbeing
Survey of Attendees at the SEAHO 2025 Conference
The Beck team has worked on numerous student housing projects, where concerns about student mental health and well-being are frequently raised. At the 2025 SEAHO Conference in Huntsville, Alabama, student mental health was highlighted as the top concern among housing professionals. Additionally, the mental health of staff members was also identified as a significant issue. This document offers a brief overview of these challenges and their impact on university housing.
April 2025
Ken Higa, AIA, IIDA,
Principal / Higher Education Practice Leader KenHiga@beckgroup.com
College is often portrayed as an exciting time of personal growth, academic exploration, and newfound independence. However, for many students, it is also a period marked by significant stress, anxiety, and emotional struggles. Today’s college students are navigating an increasingly complex landscape—balancing academic pressures, financial burdens, social expectations, and the challenges of transitioning to adulthood.
The prevalence of mental health issues among students has been steadily rising, with anxiety, depression, and burnout becoming common concerns on campuses nationwide. Factors such as social media influence, economic uncertainty, and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have only intensified these challenges. Meanwhile, universities are working to expand mental health resources, yet demand often outpaces availability, leaving many students struggling in silence.
Understanding these issues is crucial to fostering a campus environment where students can thrive—academically, socially, and emotionally.
What are the Top Challenges You See in Student Housing Today?
At this year’s SEAHO Conference in Huntsville, Alabama, Beck posed an important question to attendees: What are the biggest challenges facing student housing professionals today? Using the interactive survey tool Mentimeter, we invited visitors to our booth to share their top concerns in their own words. Over a quarter of the responses mentioned “mental health,” while another 18% referenced “engagement, isolation, community, or belonging.”
These findings align with national headlines reporting a growing mental health crisis on college and university campuses. University housing plays a vital role in supporting student wellbeing, yet many students continue to struggle with mental health challenges, compounded by academic pressures, social transitions, and financial stress.
Research shows that college students today experience higher levels of stress, loneliness, and mental health disorders compared to previous generations. The prevalence of mental health issues has steadily increased, with roughly one-third of undergraduates exhibiting clinically
significant symptoms of depression and anxiety. Factors such as academic pressure, financial uncertainty, and post-pandemic challenges have further intensified these struggles, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced support and intervention within student housing environments.
26% of the responses included “mental health” and 18% of the responses referred to “engagement, isolation, community or belonging”.
Challenges for Students in University Housing
For students living in residence halls, mental health struggles can affect their daily lives and academic success. Some common concerns include:
• Social Isolation: Many students report feelings of loneliness, particularly those who struggle to make social connections in their new living environments.
• Academic Stress: The pressures of coursework and exams can lead to heightened anxiety, especially for students living in high-stress academic environments.
• Peer Mental Health Impact: Students often feel responsible for supporting their peers who may be struggling, leading to emotional exhaustion and stress.
• Over-Engagement: For some high-achieving students, taking on multiple leadership roles across various programs or organizations may seem like a strong way to build a resume. However, this level of involvement can also lead to burnout.
During the 2020-2021 school year, more than
60% of college students met the criteria for at least one mental health problem, according to the Healthy Minds Study.
Monitor on Psychology, American Psychological Association, Oct.. 2022
Institutional Support for Student Mental Health
To address student mental health challenges, universities should implement proactive strategies, including:
• On-Site Mental Health Services: Universities should provide accessible mental health resources within student housing, including counseling services and crisis intervention programs.
• Rapid Access & Assessment: Same-day intake or single counseling session, rather than languishing on a waitlist for weeks or months.
• Peer Support Programs: Implementing student-led mental health initiatives, such as peer counseling and mentorship programs, can help foster supportive living environments.
• Facility Design that Promotes Wellness & Engagement: Creating spaces that promote relaxation and social engagement, such as wellness rooms, group-study areas, community kitchens, community lounges and activity rooms, can improve student wellbeing and promote peer-to-peer engagement.
• Spaces for Private Conversations: With a growing number of students actively engaged in therapy, it is essential to provide dedicated spaces where they can have private, uninterrupted conversations away from roommates and communal distractions.
• Theme Housing: Intentionally designed living communities centered on shared academic, cultural, organizational, or personal interests can foster strong student connections and a sense of belonging, even when based on non-academic themes.
• Educational Initiatives: Providing workshops on stress management, resilience, and mental health awareness can equip students with coping strategies for university life.
• Crisis Response Training: Training Resident Assistants (RAs) and housing staff to recognize and respond to mental health crises can enhance student support systems while ensuring appropriate referrals to professionals
Mental health challenges among university students significantly impact their overall academic and personal success. University housing must play an active role in fostering supportive environments that prioritize mental wellness. By integrating mental health resources, peer support systems, and crisis response training, institutions can create healthier living-learning environments for students.
Prioritizing Student Well-Being – Dedicated private phone rooms on each floor of student housing provide a quiet, secure space for students to have confidential conversations, such as speaking with a counselor or therapist, ensuring they have the privacy they need to prioritize their mental health.
Concerns Around University Housing Staff Mental Health and Wellbeing
While much attention is given to student mental health, university housing staff—including Resident Assistants (RAs) and professional residential life staff—also face significant mental health challenges. These staff members play a critical role in supporting students but often do so with limited institutional support, leading to high levels of stress, burnout, and secondary trauma.
“I have found, especially in the last year, in order to well-support our students, we need to ensure that we are first wellsupporting our staff.”
Jessica Rashid, Assistant Director for Residential Life, Student Care, and Conduct at the University of Washington September 2021, Talking Stick, ACUHO-I
The Mental Health Struggles of Housing Staff
University housing staff are often on the front lines of student mental health crises, balancing administrative duties with emotional support roles. Research indicates that:
• Burnout is prevalent: A study found that over 70% of RAs experience high levels of emotional exhaustion and burnout due to job-related stress.
• Compassion fatigue is common: Housing staff frequently experience secondary trauma from supporting students in crisis, leading to emotional distress.
• Work-Life Imbalance: Many housing professionals work long hours, making it difficult to maintain personal wellness and academic responsibilities.
• No Escape from Work: For housing professionals in small college towns, stepping away from work can be challenging—even when they’re off-campus.
Challenges for Resident Assistants (RAs) and Housing Professionals
• Increased Demand for Crisis Response: RAs are expected to manage student crises, including mental health emergencies, often without adequate training or support.
• Blurred Boundaries Between Peer Support and Professional Roles: RAs are often peers to students they supervise, making it difficult to maintain emotional distance from distressing situations.
• Lack of Mental Health Resources for Staff: While institutions focus on student wellness, housing staff often do not receive the same level of mental health support, leading to increased stress and job dissatisfaction.
Institutional Support for Housing Staff Mental Health
To mitigate burnout and stress among housing staff, universities should implement the following strategies:
• Mental Health Training for Housing Staff: Providing comprehensive training on crisis intervention, traumainformed care, and self-care strategies can help staff manage emotional challenges.
• Access to Counseling Services: Universities should offer free or subsidized mental health support for housing staff to address burnout and secondary trauma.
• Workload Adjustments: Institutions should reassess RA job responsibilities, ensuring that student mental health support is not solely placed on their shoulders.
• Support Networks for Staff: Creating peer support groups and professional mentorship programs can help housing staff navigate job-related stress.
• Clear Crisis Response Protocols: Universities must establish structured protocols that allow staff to escalate mental health crises to trained professionals rather than managing them independently.
University housing staff play a crucial role in supporting student mental health, yet their own wellbeing is often overlooked. Addressing housing staff mental health concerns requires institutional commitment to training, workload management, and access to professional resources. By prioritizing staff wellness, universities can ensure that both students and housing professionals thrive in a healthier campus environment.
SOURCES
Abelson, S., Lipson, S. K., & Eisenberg, D. (2023). What works for improving mental health in higher education? American Council on Education. https://www.acenet.edu/Documents/What-Works-MentalHealth.pdf
Abrams, Z. (2022, October 1). Student mental health is in crisis. Campuses are rethinking their approach. APA Monitor on Psychology, 53(7), 60. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2022/10/mental-health-campuscare
American Psychological Association. (2019, December). By the numbers: Stress on campus. APA Monitor on Psychology. https://www.apa.org/ monitor/2019/12/numbers-college
Bauman, D. (2022, April 19). Survey: College students reflect on mental health and campus help. Inside Higher Ed. https://www.insidehighered. com/news/2022/04/19/survey-college-students-reflect-mental-healthand-campus-help
Baumann, J. (2021, September). Teaming Up for Mental Health. Talking Stick, The Magazine of the Association of College and University Housing Officers-International. https://ts.acuho-i.org/september_2021/teaming_ up.html
DuBose, D. (2020). Burnout in college resident assistants: Indicators of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment [Doctoral dissertation, Liberty University]. Liberty University Digital Commons. https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/2599/
Eisenberg, D., Lipson, S. K., & Posselt, J. (2016). Promoting resilience, retention, and mental health. New Directions for Student Services, 2016(156), 87–95. https://doi.org/10.1002/ss.20194
Hunt, J., & Eisenberg, D. (2010). Mental health problems and help-seeking behavior among college students. Journal of Adolescent Health, 46(1), 3–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2009.08.008
Lipson, S. K., Lattie, E. G., & Eisenberg, D. (2019). Increased rates of mental health service utilization by U.S. college students: 10-year population-level trends (2007–2017). Psychiatric Services, 70(1), 60–63. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.201800332
Maten, Lionel, “Stress, Burnout, Compassion Satisfaction, And Compassion Fatigue Among Resident Assistants At The University Of Mississippi” (2020). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 1814. https:// egrove.olemiss.edu/etd/1814
Nemecek, A. J., Crowell, N., & Riley, J. B. (2022). The impacts on wellbeing of undergraduate college students serving in a resident assistant role. Georgetown Scientific Research Journal, 2(1), 31. https://doi. org/10.48091/gsr.v2i1.31
Sontag-Padilla, L., Dunbar, M. S., Ye, F., Kase, C., Fein, R., Abelson, S., Seelam, R., & Stein, B. D. (2018). Strengthening college students’ mental health knowledge, awareness, and helping behaviors: The impact of Active Minds, a peer mental health organization. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 57(7), 500–507.
Creating Spaces that Foster Connection and Engagement – Community lounges, floor lounges, kitchens, and active laundry rooms help build a vibrant campus culture, encouraging students to connect, collaborate, and thrive together.
A few of the institutions that are represented in the survey:
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Emory University
Florida Gulf Coast University
George Mason University
Georgia Southern University
Kennesaw State University
Lander University
Mercer University
Middle Tennessee State University
Mississippi State University
NC State University
Nova Southeastern University
Old Dominion University
Radford University
Roanoke College
Samford University
Southern University
Tennessee Tech
University of Alabama
University of Alabama - Huntsville
University of Arkansas
University of Georgia
University of Mississippi
University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina - Wilmington
University of South Carolina -Columbia
University of South Florida
University of Tampa
University of Tennessee - Knoxville
Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Tech
Winston-Salem State University
Special thanks to the SEAHO 2025 Conference attendees that visited the Beck booth and participated in the survey.