Students are more open to talking about mental health. Here’s how Northeastern is meeting the demand with new resources

Mental health service counselor helping a Northeastern student.
University Health and Counseling Services. Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

College is a time of transition for young adults—new surroundings, relationships, academic expectations, professional expectations and financial responsibilities.

New circumstances often present added stress. The COVID-19 pandemic in particular has brought mental-health conversations to the forefront.

“As we all know, mental health was significantly impacted by the pandemic,” says Christine Civiletto, assistant vice chancellor for wellness at Northeastern University.

There is a silver lining, however, according to Civiletto—students are more open to talking about mental-health concerns and increasingly willing to reach out for help.

In fact, the vast majority of Northeastern students (84%) who responded to the National College Health Assessment, a 2022 random-sample survey, indicated that they would consider seeking help from a mental-health professional if they were having a personal problem. 

Northeastern Global News, in your inbox.

Sign up for NGN’s daily newsletter for news, discovery and analysis from around the world.