College Student Mental Health and Wellness

Drawing on recent mental health data collected from over two million college students, as well as decades of well-established scholarship in diverse disciplines, Dr. Hayes deepens our understanding of college student mental health, the well-documented increase in psychological distress on our campuses, and factors associated with both distress and well-being. The author is widely published in the field of mental health and psychotherapy, and has taught and provided psychotherapy to adults and college students for over 30 years. This book will benefit faculty members, college mental health clinicians, supervisors, trainees and student affairs professionals who seek to understand and meet the needs of a diverse college student population navigating an increasingly complex world. -- Juan R. Riker, Training Director and Psychologist, University of California, Santa Barbara
Drawing from his breadth of experiences in research and practice, Dr. Hayes delivers a critical update on the state of collegiate mental health and the unique challenges encountered by college students that impact their psychological well-being. This book is an essential resource for any clinician, practitioner, administrator, professional, or concerned other who directly works with college students. -- Brett E. Scofield, Ph.D., Executive Director, The Center for Collegiate Mental Health (CCMH). Penn State University – University Park

This book is a clear and comprehensive summary of the state of mental health in college student populations. It is an excellent introduction to the topic for anyone who works with college students or for students themselves who want to reflect on their own mental health. The book goes beyond the simple headline that students are struggling; it reviews not only the challenges such as anxiety and suicide but also the many strengths and opportunities that support positive mental health. Professor Hayes is a leading teacher and researcher for this topic, and his plain-spoken and rigorous style makes for an enriching and engaging reading experience.

-- Daniel Eisenberg, Professor of Health Policy and Management, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health

Drawing on decades of experience in college mental health research and practice, Dr. Hayes offers a comprehensive understanding of an undeniably urgent and complex problem: the state of mental health in U.S. higher education today. Dr. Hayes takes the reader through key mental health risk and protective factors, offering an insightful exploration of the empirical evidence underpinning our understanding of mental health in student populations. The book clearly lays out the complex interplay of factors that may be driving rising prevalence rates, including an emphasis on mutable factors and specific prevention strategies to advance mental health equity. Throughout, Dr. Hayes identifies proactive efforts along the mental health continuum, from prevention through treatment, pointing to actionable suggestions for institutions and students alike.

-- Sarah Ketchen Lipson, PhD, EdM, Principal Investigator, the Healthy Minds Network; Associate Professor, Boston University School of Public Health