The Jed Foundation Joins National Convening on College Student Mental Health and Well-being

[March 13, 2025, NEW YORK CITY] Leaders in higher education, behavioral and emotional health, and education from across the country gathered February 12-13, 2025, at New York University to address the current state of student mental health and well-being during The Presidents’ Convening on College Student Mental Health and Well-Being. Together, they explored data, shared best practices, and considered evidence-based approaches to helping all students on college campuses flourish.

Among the invited participants sharing their expertise and insight was Dr. Nance Roy, Chief Clinical Officer at The Jed Foundation (JED), a leading national nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicides for teens and young adults. 

“Cultivating communities of care at higher education institutions equips students with the tools they need to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally,” said Dr. Roy. “I was honored to join this convening alongside other esteemed colleagues to support and protect the mental health of students nationwide.” 

“It is imperative that the mental health of all students on campus continue to be a key priority for higher education leadership,” said Sharon Shapiro, Community Liaison and Trustee at the Ruderman Family Foundation. “We were so pleased to see so many dedicated leaders working together to better understand how to create campuses that support their students, both personally and academically.” 

The major theme of the Convening was moving from response to prevention in creating strategies for student mental health that take into account both the acute needs of some students and the mental health of all. Highlights of the program included:

• Keynote address by Jonathan Haidt, PhD, NYU professor and author of The Anxious Generation
• A discussion among four Chief Well-being Officers at various institutions: Besty Cracco, PhD, of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst; Candice Epps Jackson, MS, EdS, NCC, LPCA of Winston-Salem State University; Estevan Garcia, MD, DrPH, MPA, FAAP, of Dartmouth College; and Zoe Ragouzeos, PhD, LCSW, of New York University
• A panel on the Presidents’ Role in Student Well-being, with Connie Book, President of Elon University; Melissa Gilliam, President of Boston University; and Marvin Krislov, President of Pace University, moderated by Linda Mills, President of New York University
• A keynote address by Jeanne Twenge, PhD, author and professor of psychology at San Diego State University
• Presentations on promising work in well-being strategies: The Furman Advantage at Furman University; The Question Project; and The Resilience Lab at the University of Washington
• A panel on new data on mental health support by institution from The Princeton Review, featuring Hanna Shaul Bar Nissim, PhD, Deputy Director US at the Ruderman Family Foundation; Rob Franek, Editor in Chief of The Princeton Review; and Karen Singleton, PhD, Chief of Mental Health and Counseling at MIT 
• New data from Sarah Lipson, PhD, EdM, Principal Investigator of the Healthy Minds Network and Associate Professor in the Department of Health Law Policy and Management at Boston University School of Public Health

Key outcomes from the convening included:

• Emphasizing the shift from reactive mental health strategies to preventive, population-based approaches
• Highlighting successful initiatives and programs that can be replicated at other schools
• Presenting new data on the prevalence of mental health issues and mental health services

The convening was hosted by the Coalition for Transformational Education, publisher of LearningWell magazine, and NYU President Linda Mills, in partnership with and sponsored by the Ruderman Family Foundation.

About the Coalition for Transformational Education

The Coalition for Transformative Education is a group of colleges and universities dedicated to evidence-based, learner-centered education that lays the foundation for flourishing throughout life and career. The Coalition is supported by a thought leadership platform that examines and shares information and research with key external audiences through a variety of channels including LearningWell magazine.  

About the Ruderman Family Foundation

The Ruderman Family Foundation seeks to end the stigma associated with mental health challenges among young adults by partnering with leading higher education institutions, innovative organizations and field experts advocating for youth mental health in Massachusetts. Through supporting research and strategic initiatives, the Foundation believes that raising awareness and providing access to mental health resources can change public discourse and our society’s culture around mental health.

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. 

Connect with JED: Email | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | Snapchat | YouTube 

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