From Empathy to Action: How Young Adults Can Better Support Each Other’s Mental Health

Mental health issues among college students may be showing signs of improvement on the surface, but a closer look reveals a more complicated reality.  

According to new data from UnitedHealthcare’s College Student and Graduate Behavioral Health Report, overall mental health concerns among college students decreased by 10% from 2022 to 2024. That’s the good news. That said, many of the more complex and high-risk mental health challenges haven’t shown the same decline, highlighting the continued need for early support and intervention. 

And in the middle of this evolving landscape, young adults are leaning on each other more than anyone else. Data found that both college students and recent graduates (ages 20 to 28) self-report that talking to a friend – as opposed to a trusted adult – was far more influential in their willingness to access mental or behavioral health care. 

While it might seem encouraging, it also raises some tough questions. If peers are the first line of support, are they equipped for it? What happens when a friend becomes the only person someone opens up to? 

“There’s power in peer support, but there’s also risk when it becomes the main avenue guiding young adults towards getting help, especially as we see the rates of serious mental health conditions remain consistent,” says Dr. Nicole Brady, Chief Medical Officer at UnitedHealthcare Student Resources. “Being there for your friends is important, but knowing how to do that in a healthy, helpful way can be equally critical.” 

Dr. Brady says it often starts with simply noticing when a friend is struggling. A change in mood, energy, or social habits can be early signs that someone may need help. Reaching out, even with just a casual check-in, can let them know they’re not alone. And while not everyone may want to talk right away, opening that door can be a lifeline. 

If those conversations do happen, Dr. Brady stresses the importance of listening fully and without judgment. For many young adults, there may be a temptation to try to “fix” things by offering advice, sharing personal experiences, or suggesting quick solutions. But often, what someone might need is to be heard and understood. Dr. Brady believes that when someone gives their full attention, asks thoughtful questions, and helps validate what a friend is feeling, they may help to make them feel safe. 

Still, Dr. Brady emphasizes that peers can’t — and shouldn’t — be expected to shoulder the full weight of someone else’s mental health. Encouraging a friend to seek professional help is just as important as offering emotional support. That might mean guiding them to contact a primary care provider, helping them investigate what their health plan covers, or showing them what tools and resources are available. It’s not about handing someone off. It’s about helping them take the next step. 

“Through our work and research, we see that youth and young adults first go to their friends for emotional support, but in most cases, those friends don’t know where to start and they don’t feel equipped to know what to do next,” said Alison Malmon, founder and executive director of Active Minds. “By opening lines of communication and preparing young people to make this type of dialogue the norm, we know that the future of how mental health is handled can change for the better. In many cases, these discussions can be a first step for a person to get the help and resources they may need. Helping today's youth feel comfortable talking about mental health is, without a doubt, an essential catalyst for change.” 

In a time when overall awareness around mental health is rising, young adults are often the first to say that it’s okay not to be okay. But they’re also navigating a system where access to care may be confusing or intimidating, especially for those just starting to manage their own health for the first time. 

Sometimes, all it may take is one honest conversation to shift someone from silence to action. The goal isn’t for young people to become therapists for their friends but to be a bridge. A friend who listens, who cares, and who points the way to real help. 

Because being there for each other matters. But knowing when — and how — to ask for backup matters just as much.