As highlighted in a 2025 report on Forbes.com, the president of the Association for University and College Counseling Center Directors emphasized the importance of proactive measures in addressing mental health concerns on campuses, while also cautioning against perpetuating an outdated crisis narrative. Serving on the executive board for the AUCCCD, I have witnessed the discourse surrounding college mental health, often labeled as a crisis. Back in 2023, the National Education Association released a report titled “The Mental Health Crisis on College Campuses,” further fueling this narrative. However, a 2024 report by The Chronicle of Higher Education shed light on how the crisis narrative, though alarming in statistics, may deter individuals from seeking help.

Dr. Ben Locke, a renowned psychologist with extensive experience in college mental health, has delved into the clinical operations of campus counseling centers for over two decades. Currently serving as the Chief Clinical Officer for Togetherall, a global online peer support service, Locke emphasizes how the crisis narrative places undue pressure on the entire campus community. Locke expressed, “Faculty and staff may feel ill-equipped to provide support, parents become more anxious, and counselors face escalating demands to meet student needs.”

Understanding the Crisis Narrative

Locke characterizes the crisis narrative as a prevailing cultural ideology that has gained momentum over the past two decades. According to him, this narrative asserts that there is a global mental health crisis, extending beyond higher education settings. Locke argues that this pervasive narrative creates a loop of escalating distress as individuals internalize the crisis rhetoric. He explains, “The more individuals are exposed to the crisis narrative, the more they perceive themselves to be in crisis.”

While acknowledging the rise in mental health challenges, Locke clarifies, “The narrative doesn’t dispute the existence of struggles but rather reflects a desire to allocate resources to meet the growing demand.” Despite variations in available mental health services across schools, the crisis narrative often leads to reactive responses to normative human experiences without a strategic mental health plan in place.

Unpacking the Origins of the Crisis Narrative

Locke identifies a concoction of elements that contribute to the crisis narrative, many of which are accepted without scrutiny. Advocates for mental health, with good intentions, often leverage the crisis narrative to advocate for increased resources. Additionally, the proliferation of mental health research and survey industries is driven by a need to showcase escalating needs to maintain relevance. Locke also points to the evolution of media as a key ingredient, where sensationalized headlines based on limited data perpetuate the crisis narrative. Furthermore, he notes how the mental health field has pathologized normal human experiences, leading to the misconception that all distress requires professional intervention.

Navigating the Response to the Crisis Narrative

Locke emphasizes the importance of evaluating the adequacy of clinical resources on campus as a primary step in addressing the crisis narrative. In a 2021 report for the Center of Collegiate Mental Health, Locke discusses strategies for optimizing counseling center staffing. He advocates for educational initiatives to counteract the crisis narrative, urging schools to acknowledge the normalcy of human experiences encompassing challenges and stressors. Locke proposes a holistic approach to mental health, incorporating diverse resources such as peer support.

Locke’s alignment with Togetherall stems from the platform’s global peer support model, blending therapeutic elements with shared experiences among users. Students engaging with Togetherall can access a supportive community while benefiting from clinical oversight. Locke highlights that 92% of college students utilizing Togetherall do not seek additional on-campus support, underscoring the reach of community-based interventions. As Locke asserts, “Counseling centers cannot cater to every distressed student,” emphasizing the communal nature of mental health support beyond clinical interventions.