Temple University expands support amid national mental health crisis
National survey shows rising mental health issues and financial insecurity among college students, prompting Temple University to enhance support services.
Mental health challenges among college students have reached unprecedented levels, according to a comprehensive national survey released by the Cooperative Institutional Research Program in February 2025. The survey reported a stark picture of increasing emotional distress and financial insecurity, particularly affecting women, nonbinary students, and those from historically underrepresented backgrounds. Temple University reported on the survey, sharing its plan to bolster student mental health resources.
Rising mental health concerns across demographics
The CIRP’s survey, which gathered responses from over 24,000 incoming students across 55 colleges and universities during 2024, highlighted significant gender disparities in emotional well-being. While 42% of male students reported experiencing depression frequently or occasionally, the numbers were substantially higher for women (59%) and nonbinary or genderqueer students (91%).
Mark Denys, associate vice provost for health and well-being at Temple University, noted, “I think students are coming to campus with more history of mental health challenges. It’s helping us limit the stigma associated with mental health, but at the same time, students may need more services than we can provide as our demand is always increasing.”
Financial insecurity compounds mental health challenges
The survey revealed concerning statistics about financial pressures facing incoming students:
- 19% of respondents were classified as low-income (family income below $60,000)
- First-generation students comprised 12% of total respondents and 35% of low-income students
- 81% of Hispanic or Latino students and nearly 70% of Black students expressed significant concerns about college costs
- Overall, 56% of students reported some or major concern about paying for college
Institutional response and support services
Temple University has strengthened its support systems in response to these trends. The institution launched a dedicated division of student health and well-being in January 2023, backed by increased funding from the Provost’s office. Tuttleman Counseling Services has focused on improving accessibility and reducing wait times, while the Hope Center for Student Basic Needs has expanded its programming to meet growing demand.
Stacy Priniski, senior evaluation associate at the Hope Center, emphasized the need for institutional adaptation: “One thing I’m hearing from a lot of institutional policy makers right now is that as higher ed becomes more diverse, we need to shift our thinking. It’s not just about making students ‘college-ready,’ but about making colleges ‘student-ready.'”
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