6 in 10 collegiates report mental health issues, 26% turning to AI

• Key Insight: Learn how student mental-health needs and help-seeking behaviors are diverging from parental perceptions.
• What's at Stake: Universities and insurers face rising utilization, access gaps, and potential care-cost exposure.
• Supporting Data: 69% of students reported a mental or behavioral health concern in the past year.
  Source: Bullets generated by AI with editorial review

More than six in 10 college students and young adults dealt with a mental or behavioral health issue over the past year, according to a new survey from UnitedHealthcare. 

The fourth annual Young Adult & College Student Behavioral Health Report found that despite different post-high school paths, many young people are facing similar and persistent mental health challenges. 

"The most important point here is that there is a significant difference in perception between college students and their parents about the prevalence of mental health conditions in the younger population," said Dr. Rhonda Randall, chief medical officer and executive vice president of UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual.

According to the survey, 69% of students self-reported a mental or behavioral health concern in the past year compared with 43% of parents who reported what they believe students experienced. 

"As the behavioral health needs of college students become increasingly complex, we believe that data-driven insights are essential for identifying the challenges students face and informing effective, evidence-based support," said Raphael D. Florestal-Kevelier, CEO of the American College Health Association (ACHA). "When institutions provide resources and support, students are better positioned to thrive both on and off campus."

Commissioned by UnitedHealthcare and conducted by YouGov, the Young Adult & College Student Behavioral Health Report is based on a survey of around 2,000 college students and young adults between the ages of 18 and 28. 

Key barriers to getting help

According to the survey, college students were more likely than young adults not enrolled in school to report a mental or behavioral health concern, with 69% of students saying they experienced one in the past year, compared with 54% of nonstudents. Anxiety, stress, depression and ADD/ADHD were the most commonly self-reported conditions among college students, marking the highest rates in four years. 

Among young adults and college students who said they didn't seek help for a mental or behavioral health concern, 25% pointed to cost as a barrier, highlighting how affordability can play a key role in whether people get care.

Not knowing how to start the conversation about getting help — or who to turn to — can also serve as a barrier, Randall said, adding that young adults are more likely to ask a friend for advice about their emotional well-being rather than a parent or licensed mental health professional. 

"It's important to have these conversations with your children," Randall said, "because if it's not them who needs support, it is highly likely that one of their friends is going to ask them for advice. You want … your child to get and give good counsel."

The rise of AI-based platforms

UnitedHealthcare's survey also examined how young adults and students are using digital tools for mental health support. Thirty-one percent of respondents said they or a friend or roommate used AI-based platforms over the past year to explore symptoms, gather information, or find coping strategies.

Meanwhile, 26% said they turned to AI tools for companionship, reassurance or emotional support.

"In the moment when you're not feeling well from — particularly from a behavioral health concern — you want somebody to ask and get immediate feedback from," Randall said. "AI is accessible during those times."

Randall emphasized that it's important for people to understand both the benefits and the risks of using AI for support. While the technology can be a useful tool, it can't replace human connection or the care provided by a trained behavioral health professional, she said. 

Dr. Nicole Brady, chief medical officer of UnitedHealthcare Student Resources, said that as more young people turn to AI for guidance, "it's critical that families, educators, employers and healthcare stakeholders work together to help improve health literacy, strengthen care navigation, and expand timely access to care." 

"By creating supportive environments and helping with the use of emerging technologies, we can help young adults feel more informed and empowered to seek help," she said.