New Survey Finds Colleges Inheriting Students With Greater Mental Health Needs

new Uwill survey, high school seniors report emotional strain as colleges prepare for the touchscreen generation.

NATICK, Mass., Sept. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The next generation of college students are expected to arrive on campus with greater emotional strain and different expectations for how, when and where they receive support, according to a nationally representative survey of more than 1,000 high school and college seniors commissioned by Uwill.

Less than half of high school seniors (41%) rate their mental health as "very good" or "good." In response, twice as many high school seniors (26%) as college seniors (12%) are turning to AI to discuss relationships or emotional issues at least weekly. Among those students, 21% of high school seniors say they turn to AI because they "don't have anyone else to talk to," compared with 7% of college seniors, or because they feel AI is more supportive than their friends (11% high school, 2% undergrad).

"Colleges are inheriting a mental health crisis, as thousands of students will arrive on campus with a need for robust services," said Erin Andrew, vice president of clinical affairs at Uwill. "Students are telling us that they're feeling alone and looking for help navigating a fast-changing world. This research raises crucial questions for colleges who must serve a generation of students who never knew life without an iPhone."

Key findings include:

• High school seniors report a decline in their mental health. About one in four (28%) high school seniors say their mental health has declined during the past three years. 
• Students are uncertain about what comes next. Only 19% of all respondents feel very or extremely prepared for their next step. Career or job uncertainty ranks as a top stressor for 46% of college seniors. More than half of undergraduate men (55%) worry about career or job uncertainty, compared to 39% of undergraduate women. 
• Uncertainty about the future extends to institutions. College seniors and high school seniors alike do not trust institutions within the federal government, including Congress (trusted by 7% overall), the President (6%), and the Supreme Court (10%), the news media (7%) or big tech companies (5%) to act in their best interest. Health care providers, scientists, and educational institutions ranked highest, though none were trusted by a majority of either student cohort. One in 4 of all students surveyed don't trust any of the institutions tested.
• Financial pressure weighs heavily on students. Nearly four in ten college seniors (39%) report working more than 21 hours per week, and 39% identify financial concerns as a top stressor. 47% of first-generation college seniors said financial concerns are a top stressor.

"The public mood around technology is shifting as parents, educators, and policymakers ask harder questions about the effects of constant connectivity and social media use on mental health," said Michael London, founder and CEO of Uwill. "This survey brings those concerns into sharper focus. They must be prepared to support a generation arriving on campus with greater mental health needs and fewer trusted places to turn."

College Pulse conducted the survey in June 2026 among a nationally representative sample of 1,020 students: rising high school seniors and rising undergraduate seniors enrolled at four-year colleges and universities across the United States. Fieldwork was conducted June 17–22, 2026. The results were weighted to reflect the U.S. college and high school student population.

About Uwill: Uwill attributes its success to supporting every single student as quickly as possible and is the leading mental health and wellness solution for schools. In 2025, Uwill was recognized as the #79 fastest growing private company in the US according to Inc, its second consecutive year in the top 100 (#27 in 2024). Uwill also ranked as the #2 fastest growing company in the state of Massachusetts by the Boston Business Journal in 2026 (#1 in 2025) and the #32 fastest growing company in North America according to Deloitte (#18 in 2024). As the most cost-effective way to enhance a school's mental health offering, Uwill partners with 1,000+ colleges and K12 districts worldwide, including Rutgers University, Dartmouth College, University of Michigan, Northeastern University, Phillips Academy Andover, and Virginia Beach City Public Schools. For more information, visit uwill.com.

Contact:
Brett Silk
[email protected]

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SOURCE Uwill, Inc