Social stressors are a pervasive challenge for college students.

​The Link Between Academic and Social Success
Most people agree that academic success should be prioritized over the successes of a happy social life. However, the two are closely intertwined at the collegiate level and in some ways, their advances are dependent upon on the other.

“Students learn best when they’re healthy and well, so there’s a tight relationship between trying to achieve that academic mission, fostering a healthy social life, and providing growth outside of the classroom,” says Justin Kollinger, senior risk management consultant of United Educators.

The Mental Health Crisis in Higher Education
Mental health is an often stigmatized topic, but it's one that's crucial to address, especially in the realm of higher education. A 2022 survey by the American College Health Association found that 77% of 54,000 undergrads reported experiencing moderate to serious psychological distress. This alarming statistic highlights the need for universities to prioritize student mental health.
 
The stressors contributing to student mental health setbacks stem from various aspects of the college experience, from choosing a major to managing the pressures of student athletics. In this blog post, we'll focus on the impact of social life on student mental health, examining the specific stressors that can lead to setbacks and exploring how universities can best support their students in navigating these challenges.
 
The Stressors of Social Life
Social life can be a source of both joy and stress for college students. While friendships and social connections can enrich the college experience, they can also pose challenges that can negatively impact mental health.
 
Kollinger emphasizes the importance of recognizing that no student is immune to the potential setbacks caused by social life stress. He highlights various factors that can contribute to a student's struggling social life, including relationship problems, loneliness, family and friend relationships, and sexual assault.
Kollinger also underscores the distinction between social challenges and mental health challenges, while acknowledging that one can exacerbate the other. He cites the example of a student already suffering from a mental health condition while also experiencing social isolation.
 
"When you're combining depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions, with a lack of social connection, you might not find relief in turning to friends or trusted confidants," Kollinger explains.
 
The Pandemic Angle
The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated existing stressors and introduced new ones for college students. Social distancing guidelines disrupted crucial years of social development for current students, hindering their ability to develop essential social skills.
 
"Some of the social development that we do as humans continues into our 20s, well after high school and middle school. And the pandemic left a big gap," Kollinger observes.
 
He further explains that skills such as understanding and developing one's self-identity and personal understanding of oneself in relation to others were disrupted due to the pandemic. These issues became evident when social distancing restrictions eased and students returned to campus.
 
"Social skills, like the ability to make friends or develop healthy relationships, are skills that need practice. And without practice, students excitedly come to a new campus environment or return to a campus, but maybe not as prepared as they thought," Kollinger says. "That has an impact on a student's mental health."
 
Kollinger notes that tensions spiked between students emerging from isolation, and institutions observed a decline in their conflict resolution skills. A student affairs team he spoke with attributed this rise in conflict to a difference in academic and social resilience.
 
"Academically, students are reverting back to where they were before the pandemic," Kollinger says. "But that has not happened the same way on the social relationship side."
 
How Universities Are Responding
Student mental health challenges were already a pressing concern for universities, and the pandemic amplified their urgency. Kollinger highlights several ways universities are adapting to support students in this area.
 
One major step is incorporating policies and procedures that focus on mental well-being. Some universities are expanding the accommodations process to include students with mental health challenges.
 
"When we think about the accommodations process for students, they [typically] seek them for learning," Kollinger explains. "But those policies haven't always been written with mental health conditions in mind."
 
Universities are refining their policies to ensure students receive the accommodations they need, recognizing mental health conditions as disabilities.
 
Universities have also enhanced their mental health services, including the use of telehealth. Elizabeth Marks, senior strategy consultant at Academic HealthPlans, discusses the benefits of telehealth, particularly given the challenges of securing on-campus therapists.
 
"Because of the demand and the lack of resources, telehealth has surged in terms of utilization," she says. According to Risk Strategies data, 62% of students using telehealth are addressing behavioral health issues, indicating that they seek someone to talk to rather than ongoing therapy.
Other methods to support students include providing 24/7 crisis hotlines.
 
Kollinger highlights creative approaches universities have taken in response to the counselor shortage. Recognizing the pandemic's impact on social development, some universities have implemented apps and programs to help students develop social skills, such as making friends and building deeper relationships.
 
Next Steps
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