Increasing numbers of students are seeking mental health services, but the demand is outstripping our nation’s universities’ capabilities to deliver the care they need. The result can often be long-wait times or in some cases, unavailability of services. Continued tragic events on campus only serve to reinforce the need for expanded services.

As a nation, it is crucial that we come together to help raise the awareness of mental health on college campuses and work together to identify and promulgate best practices and techniques that can be used to help meet the rising demand for mental health, while at the same time, build a culture of early intervention and prevention.

Institutions of higher learning face budget limitations, staff shortages, and other challenges in addressing the mental health and wellness of their students. Together, students, health professionals, and campus leadership can build awareness, drive public policy, and build innovative solutions ensure the mental health and wellness of our nation’s college students.

The American College Health Association, in partnership with the American College Health Foundation, is pleased to collaborate with leading mental health and higher education organizations on its inaugural symposium. The goal of the symposium is to bring together university leaders, mental health providers, public policy leaders, students and philanthropists to begin a national dialogue on developing an actionable blueprint for addressing the mental health crisis on campus.