Bridging Tradition and Innovation

In the landscape of higher education, tradition often takes precedence, providing a bedrock of proven methodologies and trusted practices. Yet, as the demands on mental health services surge—exacerbated by a global pandemic and changing student demographics—the need for innovative solutions becomes undeniable. 

AI can offer a symbiotic relationship between traditional counseling methods and cutting-edge solutions, aimed at augmenting, not replacing, the invaluable human touch that defines higher education institutions. 

Understanding the landscape

The journey through higher education is marked by intense workloads, high expectations, and significant pressure. While the academic and professional benefits are considerable, the toll on students’ mental health is a well-recognized concern. Recent studies have shown a continuous rise in depression and anxiety symptoms among college students (Liu et al., 2019; Lipson, Lattie, & Eisenberg, 2019). Prior to the pandemic, mental health issues were already a significant problem in higher education. 

The Gallup-Lumina Foundation State of Higher Education 2024 report highlights that mental health challenges profoundly contribute to college students considering dropping out. According to the report, 54% of students who have considered dropping out cite emotional stress as a reason, and 43% cite personal mental health reasons. These figures make emotional stress and personal mental health the top two factors influencing students’ decisions to consider leaving their educational programs. In comparison, other notable but less impactful factors include the cost of the degree (31%) and difficulty with coursework (24%). A study by the American Council on Education (Ketchen et al., 2019) analyzed the relationship between mental health and student success, finding that students with poor mental health are not only more likely to demonstrate attrition, but also to have lower GPAs and take longer to finish their degrees. This data underscores the critical role that mental health plays in student retention and the urgent need for institutions to address these challenges to support their students through comprehensive mental wellness systems. 

The pandemic's impact on mental health 

Mental health has been significantly impacted by the COVID 19 pandemic, presenting one of the greatest challenges for Gen Z students. Mental health and wellbeing have become extremely important for socially conscious Gen Z students considering colleges or universities, and they are significant barriers to persistence for currently enrolled students. In a recent mental health survey of Gen Z students (EdSights, 2023): 

• Close to one-third of Gen Zers reported their mental health in 2022 as bad, while one in four reported more bad days than good over a one-month period. 
• 62% of respondents reported taking a mental health day from work or school, averaging three mental health days over the course of a year. 
• When it comes to anxiety about the future, 85% are worried about their future success, while 66% fear financial instability. The association between mental health and financial distress is inextricably linked as barriers to student persistence. 
• Almost 40% of students cited mental health as the primary reason that they were struggling academically or socially. 
• 72% of Gen Z students believe that colleges and universities need to be doing more for mental health and well-being, and studies continue to showcase the value in prioritizing mental health on college campuses.

The role of technology in addressing mental wellness

Mental health plays an integral role in both attending college and persisting to graduation. However, counseling centers are overburdened and often have session limits, making it challenging to meet the increasing demand for mental health services. Additionally, recruiting diverse counseling staff remains a persistent challenge. It is not surprising that only 12% of students believe that their university handles mental health issues effectively (Pitchforth, 2023). Although recent data indicates that college enrollments are beginning to recover with a 2.5% growth in undergraduate enrollment in spring 2024 (National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, 2024), these gains are modest compared to the significant declines experienced during the pandemic. 

As educational institutions compete for a mental health-savvy student population, the need for scalable, effective solutions has never been greater. Gen Z students expect a high-tech experience when they arrive on campus. They have had unprecedented access to and engagement with technology; they comprehend how technology can and should work; and they see technology as an extension of who they are, how they communicate with others, and how they get information. They use technology to build relationships, including with people on campus with whom they can connect for support. Students highlight the role that technology plays in their academic success and well-being, and if institutions have not changed their strategies to include technology, Gen Z may compel them to do so (EdSights, 2023). 

For college leaders who may be apprehensive about adopting AI, it is key to reframe anxious uncertainty by recognizing the advantages and long term benefits of the technology. Embracing AI offers an opportunity to foster a culture of continuous learning and adaptability within institutions. Integrating AI sets a powerful example, demonstrating how to lead through change and navigate the evolving educational landscape. This proactive approach helps institutions future-proof themselves, ensuring that they remain competitive and relevant as technology advances. AI not only addresses current challenges, but also positions institutions for sustained success by staying ahead of the curve.

Gaining an edge with AI integration

Institutions that incorporate AI into their support systems can gain a substantial competitive advantage, placing themselves at the forefront of educational innovation. This can enhance services and support for students, making the institution more attractive to potential applicants and improving retention rates. Learning from early adopters of AI allows college leaders to gain valuable insights into best practices and successful strategies, building confidence in AI integration. Adopting AI does not mean abandoning proven methods. Instead, AI can bolster existing practices, providing a balanced approach that leverages the best of both worlds. By focusing on these positive aspects, uncertainty can be transformed into a strategic advantage that drives institutions forward. 

The AI advantage in student mental wellness

As universities consider the complexities of integrating technology, particularly AI, into the academic realm, mental wellness is one clear area where it can be harnessed as a force for social good, improving the health and happiness of students. According to the Chronicle (2020), “Higher ed can increasingly turn to AI to impact things outside of the classroom, including . . . student life.” The college years can be filled with tremendous stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges. Campuses are increasingly turning to AI-driven solutions to expand mental wellbeing resources tailored to busy and often isolated, lonely students. 

Alleviating the burden on counseling centers

Balancing digital and human connections for student mental wellness, AI-driven chatbots serve as a supplement for students with lower-risk mental wellness concerns, offloading some of the pressure from college counseling centers. Additionally, AI serves as a resource for counselors, providing them with tools and insights that can help them manage their caseloads more effectively. It plays an important role in promoting college students’ mental wellness, including using AI technology to provide personalized treatment plans for students (Chen et al., 2024). Mental wellness AIs offer always-accessible mental wellness assistance after hours when staff counseling is unavailable. Men and BIPOC students may prefer interacting with AI due to stigma, medical mistrust, and other systemic barriers traditionally associated with seeking mental wellness support. The accessibility and anonymity of AI solutions encourage more students to seek help.

Enhancing student engagement with diverse campus resources 

The college experience is not just about academics; it is also about active involvement in the campus community. AI is enriching this aspect by creating more interactive and connected campus environments. AI can be tailored to the unique ecosystem of each campus. According to Laureano, Togoh, and Tran (n.d.), AI can be used as a way to navigate campus resources or as a ‘wellbeing buddy,’ since not all students require face-to-face counseling. AI is designed to reinforce existing resources and incorporate local ecosystems, increasing the adoption of other campus programs such as group therapy, wellness initiatives, and other beneficial resources. AI-powered apps can recommend wellbeing activities, mentoring opportunities, resources, clubs, sports, communities, events, and services to students according to individual needs and interests and campus-specific details, which can considerably improve students' quality of life and mental health (Laureano, Togoh, & Tran, n.d). Health promotion specialists, care team members, and program specialists, who are not typically involved in one-on-one counseling, can utilize AI to facilitate the uptake of these resources. AI can help university administrators enhance student involvement in campus life, reducing loneliness and isolation. 

By integrating hyper-localized resources, this technology ensures that students receive personalized direction to campus-specific resources of which they may be unaware, making mental wellness support accessible right at their fingertips and further offsetting the burden on under resourced counseling centers. This scalability allows for more effective resource allocation and support than traditional methods, which often cannot adjust as swiftly or dynamically. Laureano, Togoh, and Tran (n.d.) observe that the implementation of AI on campuses will “clearly help a larger number of students get the support they need in these difficult times.” 

Ultimately, the role of mental health AI can be viewed as part of a larger effort to create a supportive and inclusive campus environment. By fostering a community that values mental health and encourages open dialogue, leaders can work towards a future where students can access the assistance that they want and need, whether through technology or human connection.

Affordability and efficiency of AI solutions

Compared to the cost of hiring additional counselors or outsourcing to third-party counseling vendors, AI offers a more affordable alternative. By providing immediate, scalable support, AI can alleviate the pressure on existing counseling services and offer timely interventions for students in need. This efficiency not only helps manage current demands, but also prepares institutions to handle future challenges more effectively. In an era of fiscal scrutiny and tight budgets, AI offers a cost-effective solution to expanding mental health support. Unlike outsourcing to third-party vendors, which often involves high costs and less customization, AI can be seamlessly integrated into the existing campus infrastructure, strengthening the overall effectiveness of health services without a significant increase in expenses. 

Looking forward

Colleges and universities are increasingly recognizing the value of AI for streamlining a variety of tasks. For instance, chatbots can assist students with scheduling classes or checking in on their mental health. Higher education is moving beyond initial digital transformation efforts and is now employing AI to achieve greater efficiency and effectiveness. 

Institutions are not just using technology to perform existing tasks more efficiently; they are leveraging AI to tackle some of their most significant and persistent challenges (Nietzel, 2022). According to Nietzel (2022), “[AI is] too powerful a tool to just sit on the higher education shelf.” As we stand at the crossroads of tradition and innovation, it is crucial that leaders forge partnerships that respect and build upon the foundations of educational systems. AI in mental health is not merely a fleeting trend, but a sustainable complement that can transform student support services. By bridging the gap between the old and the new, leaders can collectively improve their response to the mental health needs of today’s diverse student body.

Final Thoughts

Adopting AI in mental wellness support within higher education is not about displacing human counseling support, but augmenting them. These applications should therefore be seen as an auxiliary to traditional mental health services, not a replacement. Direct human interaction remains key for complex emotional issues. While technology can support our understanding of students’ challenges and mental wellness service delivery, the need for in-person support should not be discarded, as this is vital for mental health diagnosis and treatment and for establishing emotional and social connections (Laureano, Togoh, & Tran, n.d). Wayhaven is dedicated to this vision, ensuring that every student can access the support that they need in a way that respects and reinvigorates the enduring mental health legacies of higher education institutions. 

Any effective university response to the student mental health crisis will need to be sustained, creative, and robust (Kim, 2023). AI represents a partnership between tradition and innovation, offering a complementary approach that honors institutional traditions while introducing scalable, efficient mental wellness support solutions. By addressing the pain points of overwhelmed counseling centers, broadening access for underserved populations, and expanding the reach of student success systems, AI can play a critical role in the future of student mental wellness support. For colleges and universities, adopting this technology means positioning themselves as leaders in mental health care in higher education, delivering tech-forward interventions that students so desperately want and need. 

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References

Chronicle. (2020). How AI is reshaping our universities. Retrieved from https://sponsored.chronicle.com/how-ai-is-reshaping-our-universities/index.html

EdSights. (2023, February 8). Gen Z and mental health. Retrieved from https://www.edsights.io/post/gen-z-and-mental-health

Chen, J., Yuan, D., Dong, R., Cai, J., Ai, Z., & Zhou, S. (2024). Artificial intelligence significantly facilitates development in the mental health of college students: a bibliometric analysis. Frontiers in Psychology, 15, 1375294.

Gallup-Lumina Foundation. (2024). The state of higher education 2024. Retrieved from https://nscresearchcenter.org/current-term-enrollment-estimates/

Kim, J. (2023, August). ‘Never enough’ and the roots of our college student mental health crisis: Can universities be a counterweight to a toxic achievement culture? Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved from https://www.insidehighered.com/opinion/blogs/learning-innovation/2024/01/24/never-enough-and-roots-our-student-mental-health

Ketchen Lipson, S., Abelson, S., Ceglarek, P., Phillips, M., & Eisenberg, D. (2019). Investing in student mental health: Opportunities & benefits for college leadership.

Laureano, B., Togoh, L., & Tran, T. M. (n.d.). The use of technology to improve mental health services in universities. Grae Matta Foundation. Retrieved from https://www.graemattafoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/The-Use-of-Technology-to-Improve-Mental-Health-Services-in-Universities.pdf

Liu, C. H., Stevens, C., Wong, S. H. M., Yasui, M., & Chen, J. A. (2019). The prevalence and predictors of mental health diagnoses and suicide among US college students: Implications for addressing disparities in service use. Depression and Anxiety, 36(8-17).

Lipson, S. K., Lattie, E. G., & Eisenberg, D. (2019). Increased rates of mental health service utilization by US college students: 10-year population-level trends (2007-2017). Psychiatric Services, 70(60-63).

National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. (2023). Current Term Enrollment Estimates. Retrieved from https://nscresearchcenter.org/current-term-enrollment-estimates/

Nietzel, M. T. (2022, October 1). Colleges are turning to artificial intelligence to improve enrollment and retention. Forbes. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaeltnietzel/2022/10/01/colleges-are-turning-to-artificial-intelligence-to-improve-enrollment-and-retention/?sh=699dae041285

Pitchforth, J. (2023, November 25). AI can help to flag students struggling with mental health. University World News. Retrieved from https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=20231123144027674

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