Much has been written about how to choose the right college, along with annual lists that rate and compare different schools. These great resources, however, too often do not address a central, vital element: mental health. This is the factor given the least amount of consideration in college decision-making, yet it is essential to many students’ success in college and beyond.

Here’s why: Over 40 percent of college students experience depression. Over a third experience anxiety. One in eight experience thoughts of suicide.

These trends paint a challenging picture for young adults. And we have yet to fully realize the effects of the isolation and disruption that the pandemic has caused.

As high school seniors contemplate their college choices, the specific causes of the mental health crisis are less important than how colleges actually address it.

Fortunately, many campuses have started to prioritize student mental health by building programs and systems to support all students. Young people living away from home for the first time and enduring the new stress of higher education need and deserve all the support they can get. The relationship between student mental health and academic success is well-documented, as students with mental health disorders are more likely to have lower GPAs and are more likely to end their education.

Every other year, Active Minds, a nonprofit that promotes mental health awareness and education for young adults, recognizes colleges that demonstrate an investment in student mental health with our Healthy Campus Award. This year, we recognized five campuses, of a range of sizes, from across the country. After nearly a decade of giving out these awards, we have learned a great deal about what campuses can do to help students.

Read the full article about student mental health by Alison Malmon at The Hechinger Report.