Students who are financially vulnerable report markedly worse mental health and are less likely to be aware of campus counseling and mental health services, according to an analysis released by Trellis Strategies.
Awareness gap tied to financial insecurity
The report, based on the firm’s 2025 Student Financial Wellness Survey, found that students reporting financial vulnerability — including difficulty accessing emergency funds — experience substantially higher rates of anxiety, depression and loneliness than their more secure peers. At the same time, the study highlights an awareness gap: 24% of financially vulnerable students said they did not know whether their institution offers mental health or counseling services, compared with 17% of students who are more financially secure.
“A lot of institutions are investing in mental health resources, so the issue is not necessarily that there is nothing there for them,” Morgan Beckham, a research analyst at Trellis Strategies and the report’s author, said in an interview. Beckham said the results point to shortcomings in outreach and accessibility for students juggling multiple pressures.
“It’s important for institutions to have that proactive outreach and make sure that they’re reaching students with those campus touch points,” Beckham said.
Why the disconnect matters
College leaders and health professionals view student mental health as a key factor in persistence and degree completion. When students who are financially stressed are both more likely to experience serious mental health concerns and less likely to know about support services, the risk grows that those students will not get timely care.
Beckham explained that students with financial strain may have less time or bandwidth to seek out services, particularly if they are working, commuting, or managing basic-needs insecurity.
- Financial vulnerability is associated with higher self-reported rates of anxiety, depression and loneliness.
- Awareness of campus mental health services is lower among financially vulnerable students (24%) than among their financially secure peers (17%).
- Researchers argue institutions should pursue proactive outreach targeted to students facing financial and basic-needs challenges.
Implications for colleges and public health
The findings reinforce concerns among campus health officials that building services is necessary but not sufficient. Institutions may need to pair investments in counseling with tailored communication strategies, on-the-ground touch points and collaborations with financial aid, residential life and student employment offices to reach students who are least likely to seek help.
Practical steps some campuses have adopted include sending information through multiple channels, coordinating referrals from academic advisors and student affairs staff, and integrating mental health outreach with basic-needs programs. The Trellis analysis suggests that such integrated approaches could be especially important for students who lack emergency funds or face food and housing insecurity.
The report’s author urged colleges to consider how outreach design, timing and modality affect students with fewer resources. Beckham said reaching these students often requires proactive efforts rather than passive listing of services online.
Data snapshot
| Measure | Financially vulnerable students | Financially secure students |
|---|---|---|
| Don't know whether institution offers counseling/mental health services | 24% | 17% |
The Trellis Strategies analysis draws on the firm’s 2025 Student Financial Wellness Survey and focuses on disparities in mental health outcomes and awareness of services. The organization’s findings add to growing evidence that socioeconomic factors shape both the prevalence of mental health concerns and the likelihood that students will access support.
Colleges and public health officials face the twin challenges of expanding capacity for mental health care while ensuring the students who need help most are aware of and can reach those services.
