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College students are reporting lower rates of depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts, continuing a multiyear pattern of improvement, according to recent findings from the 2025–2026 Healthy Minds Study.

The national student report—based on responses from 67,477 students at 107 colleges and universities—found that 34% screened positive for moderate or severe depression, down from 37% in the previous report. Moderate or severe anxiety declined from 32% to 30%, while suicidal ideation fell from 11% to 10%.

Positive mental health, measured through relationships, self-esteem, purpose and optimism, increased from 36% to 43%.

"The data are truly encouraging," said Justin Heinze, co-principal investigator of the Healthy Minds Study and an associate professor of health behavior and health equity at the University of Michigan School of Public Health.

"Not only are we seeing the continuation of a downward trend in screens for major mental health concerns, but we're also seeing general well-being improve. It's not a guarantee that decreasing depression or anxiety means an increase in positive mental health, so I'm really pleased to see that prevalence going up—but clearly there is still a lot of need."

Despite the improvements, mental health challenges remain widespread. One-quarter of students reported nonsuicidal self-injury during the past year, 28% screened positive for being at risk for an eating disorder and two-thirds said emotional or mental difficulties had affected their academic performance during the previous four weeks.

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