JED Campus Launches Program Enhancements for College Student Mental Health Support Nationwide

New research-informed considerations tailored to support community colleges, graduate and professional schools, historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), and minority-serving institutions (MSIs)

[February 25, 2025, NEW YORK CITY] —  The Jed Foundation (JED), a leading nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for teens and young adults nationwide, announced today key updates to its JED Campus program that provide tailored program pathways specifically for community colleges, graduate and professional schools, historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), and minority-serving institutions (MSIs). 

Based on analysis of existing data, feedback from nearly 500 schools, a literature review, and insights from internal and external subject matter experts, JED has revised and updated its program assessments, enhanced strategic plan recommendations, and strengthened implementation support for colleges and universities participating in JED Campus. These learnings from MSIs were also incorporated as comprehensive improvements for all participating school types in order to better support the mental health of underrepresented students on all campuses. 

Specific updates to the JED Campus program for participating community colleges, graduate and professional schools, and HBCUs will include:

Enhancements to better support community colleges

• Guidance for schools with or without counseling centers, clinical staff, or health centers focused on utilizing community resources and partnerships to provide services for students and find affordable health coverage
• Guidance on mental health support and social connectedness for schools with largely commuter populations focused on community building and belonging
• Recommendations for crisis management and providing services for community colleges with dual-enrollment high school students

Enhancements to better support graduate and professional schools

• Recommendations for providing mental health services tailored to the unique needs of graduate students
• Recommended policies related to medical leaves of absence and involuntary withdrawals that reflect the distinct structures of graduate programs
• Guidance on developing procedures and resources to support students who experience potentially traumatic events during practicum or internship placements

Enhancements to better support HBCUs

• Updated guidance on peer mentorship, including strategies for faculty-student mentorship programs
• Recommendations to foster student belonging and social connectedness, including considerations for interfaith engagement. 
• Revised mental health campaign strategies, with attention to addressing barriers to care and increasing help-seeking behaviors, which the research identified as especially important for Black student mental health.                                                                     

“The state of college student mental health is always evolving. As a result, our approach to protecting emotional health and preventing suicide among teens and young adults nationwide should also transform to meet the needs of today and tomorrow,” said Tony Walker, JED’s Senior Vice President of Academic Programs. “We are proud to implement and tailor JED Campus to each school’s unique type and needs in a holistic and comprehensive way in an effort to support more students, their emotional health, and well-being within higher education institutions.

Launched in 2013, JED Campus is a technical assistance program designed to help improve the emotional well-being and mental health of students across the campus community. JED’s expert-led team helps assess campus communities to develop context-specific strategic plans. Leveraging existing strengths, JED partners with schools to implement evidence-based, data-driven best practices to create a connected campus community. To date, the program has reached more than 6.7 million students in over 530 colleges and universities in 44 states and the District of Columbia, as well as campuses in four other countries (Canada, Ireland, Spain, and Mexico). 

Current JED Campus institutions can receive updated implementation guidance and resources by contacting their assigned JED Campus Advisor. Alumni schools of the program can reach out here for more information and to discuss options. 

For more information about the recent program enhancements to JED Campus and personalization by school type, visit https://jedfoundation.org/jed-campus-pathways

Reach out to the JED Campus team at jedcampusinfo@jedfoundation.org to learn more about the program, fees, and assistance in applying for funding opportunities.

About The Jed Foundation (JED)
JED is a nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for our nation’s teens and young adults. We’re partnering with high schools, colleges, and school districts to strengthen their mental health, substance misuse, and suicide prevention programs and systems. We’re equipping teens and young adults with the skills and knowledge to help themselves and each other. We’re encouraging community awareness, understanding, and action for young adult mental health. 

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Media Contact
Justin Barbo
Director of Public Relations, The Jed Foundation
Justin@jedfoundation.org