As mental health challenges among college students continue to rise, more institutions are adopting Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) to prepare campus communities to recognize and respond to signs of distress. With nearly half of college students reporting mental health struggles and one-third of dropouts citing these challenges as their primary reason, universities are increasingly seeking proactive solutions.
Developed as a peer-reviewed, evidence-based instructional model by the National Council for Mental Well-being, MHFA training equips participants with the tools to recognize early signs of mental health or substance use issues, provide initial support, and connect individuals to appropriate resources. The course, offered virtually or in person, is open to faculty, staff, coaches, resident advisors, student leaders, and the broader student body. Over 650 colleges and universities across the country have implemented the program, joining a network that includes more than four million trained individuals.
The University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill has emerged as a leader in campus mental health education. Since the fall 2022 semester, UNC has prepared over 1,600 faculty, staff, and students through this initiative, thanks to efforts led by the Behavioral Health Springboard (BHS) at the School of Social Work. Originally funded by a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) grant, the effort is now sustained through university and state support.
“From a faculty and staff perspective, there’s a lot of frontline work that happens in the classroom, where you notice students’ struggles day in and day out,” Tiffany Edouard, MHFA coordinator at BHS, said in a March 2025 case study. “It’s incredible to be able to not just refer them to an academic counselor but to actually intervene and assess what resources they need.”
UNC has since expanded its offerings to include youth and teen MHFA, allowing peer mentors and students to gain the same skills once reserved for faculty and staff. The results speak volumes. After completing the instruction, 82% of participants felt confident responding to a substance use concerns, and 81.4% felt prepared to ask someone if they were considering suicide. Nearly all participants—98%—said they would recommend the program to others.
The initiative’s success has inspired many to become certified Instructors, with 15 private sessions hosted since 2023. These small cohort-based classes have certified nearly 200 new leaders, accelerating the campaign’s expansion across North Carolina. The state has since invested $4.6 million to bring the curriculum to underserved communities, tribal colleges, and rural areas.
Montclair State University (MSU) in New Jersey is also leveraging the MHFA framework to enhance campus well-being. Introduced in 2022 through a grant, the eight-hour, in-person course has since certified over 1,500 students, faculty, and staff. Certification lasts three years and empowers participants to identify, understand, and respond to a range of concerns, from anxiety and depression to substance use and psychosis.
“[MHFA] helps people develop the skills to notice [the] signs and symptoms of common mental health issues and challenges,” said Jude M. Uy, a MSU staff psychologist and coordinator of prevention and wellness programming. “What we find is that individuals who go through the instruction actually report better mental health themselves.”
Feedback from Montclair faculty has been overwhelmingly positive. “They’re catching things earlier and directing students to the right resources,” said Melissa Zarin, associate director of counseling and psychological services. She noted that the experience helps break down stigma, encouraging people to ask direct, sometimes life-saving questions without fear of overstepping.
Recognizing the importance of cultural sensitivity, Montclair’s effort also addresses stigma within different communities. “For some cultures, discussing mental health issues outside the family is considered disgraceful,” Uy said. “That’s the beauty of [this program]—it empowers our community to support one another in ways that feel appropriate and effective.”
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Montclair counselors have observed increases in social anxiety, eating disorders, and academic stress. MHFA has become one part of a broader wellness strategy that includes peer counseling, therapy groups, prevention events, and sensory spaces.
At both UNC-Chapel Hill and Montclair State, this approach has proven to be more than just a training—it’s a catalyst for cultural change. By empowering community members with the skills to intervene early, colleges are creating environments where mental health is prioritized, and help is always within reach.
