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Supporting the Whole Student through Mental Health and Wellbeing

Supporting the Whole Student through Mental Health & Wellbeing

In recent years, the need for robust mental health and wellness support for students has grown significantly. The challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, economic instability, and ongoing racial inequities have intensified stress, anxiety, and social isolation among students. These factors contribute to higher dropout rates, reduced academic performance, and longer time-to-completion for postsecondary credentials—particularly among students from low-income backgrounds and communities of color.
 
Recognizing these challenges, the National College Attainment Network (NCAN) is committed to empowering students to stay enrolled, persist, and achieve their academic goals. To address the critical need for mental health resources, NCAN launched an initiative, Supporting the Whole Student Through Mental Health and Wellbeing, with support from the ECMC Foundation and collaboration with The JED Foundation.
 
As part of this effort, six NCAN member organizations conducted needs assessments to better understand their students' mental health challenges and identify gaps in support. These assessments informed tailored action plans designed to provide meaningful, culturally competent, and accessible mental health resources.
 
NCAN has documented the journey and impact of these six organizations, showcasing their innovative approaches and lessons learned. These stories, along with tools, blog posts, webinars, and other resources, are available below. Our goal is to inspire and equip others in the postsecondary attainment field to strengthen their own mental health and wellness initiatives.

Profiles

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Access Opportunity

Located in the Denver (CO) metro area, Access Opportunity believes strongly in the power of social-emotional learning.

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College Beyond

College Beyond’s approach to student support focuses on two main strategies: trauma-informed coaching and microgrant funding.

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College Visions

Serving Rhode Island, College Visions worked to develop more robust mental health programming and resources for the students they serve.

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Operation Jump Start

Based in Long Beach (CA), Operation Jump Start serves over 300 students from low-income, first-generation backgrounds.

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Project GRAD Akron

Located in Ohio, Project GRAD Akron provides programming and services to 135 underserved and marginalized students in their area.

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Yonkers Partners in Education

Yonkers Partners in Education offers their students different "majors" that help them prepare for the rigor of college curriculum.

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NCAN is grateful to the ECMC Foundation for making this project possible.