Mental Health in Higher Education During COVID-19 

The pandemic challenged universities to design educational policies and practices that prioritize the well-being of all students. To understand the issues faced by students in higher education and the subsequent impact of university decisions during the pandemic, the Social Policy Institute examined the relationship between hardships experienced by university students during COVID-19 and the role of the university policies and practices in supporting students’ mental health and their ability to thrive in their academic studies.  

In coordination with Stony Brook University, Colorado State University, and Hebrew University, SPI conducted a large-scale survey in the early parts of the pandemic. Preliminary results demonstrate that academic hardships were not equally distributed across racial/ethnic groups and that while mental health outcomes were exacerbated by the pandemic, university supports were–including effective instructional strategies—were effective in improving health outcomes.