Previous to this campaign, we have been attached to civic engagement tremendously. Through civic engagement the campaign as a whole will help increase connections socially, build empowerment, and maintain development in relationships. Many personal values are aligned to ensure that civic engagement is sustainable rather than overwhelming. "Researchers have examined civic engagement as a health promotion tool among older adults and adolescents, yet less is known about its mental health implications for young adults” (Fenn,2025). This campaign will be an outlet for younger adults. This project aims to reduce stigma around mental health, increase counseling resources, and provide stress management workshops.
The need for action is due to college students face unique mental health challenges, with anxiety and depression rates rising nationwide. On our campus, is a significant gap in accessible evening support resources/preventative mental health education. Specifically, a recent survey of 500 people showed that 70% feel they lack adequate stress management resources.
To address this, Turn Up the BAAS.3000 is launching this GoFundMe. With the help of Mental Health America this project will create a peer-mentorship program, or establish a permanent peer-led "safe space".
Problem Magnitude
Global Prevalence of Depression and Anxiety in College Students
• Type: Systematic review (57 studies, multiple countries)
• Key finding: Depression prevalence ~30%; anxiety similarly high across populations
• Why it’s strong: Foundational, heavily cited baseline for global trends
• Use: Establishes that this is a widespread, persistent issue, not
(Ibrahim, A.K.)
Access Gaps / Under service
Barriers to Mental Health Treatment Among College Students
• Type: Large survey study
• Key findings:
o Stigma, cost, and time are major barriers
o Many students with symptoms do not receive treatment
• Why it’s strong: One of the most cited papers on unmet need
• Use: Directly supports our resource gap claim
(Hunt, J.)
Consequences / Impact
Mental Health and Academic Performance in College
• Type: Empirical study
• Key findings:
o Depression significantly lowers GPA
o Strong link to dropout risk
• Why it’s strong: Connects mental health to tangible outcomes
• Use: Helps us show real-world consequences, not just vibes
(Eisenberg, D.)
Intervention Effectiveness
Effectiveness of Peer Support Interventions for Mental Health
• Type: Systematic review
• Key findings:
o Peer support improves engagement and recovery outcomes
• Why it’s strong: Directly validates the peer mentorship model
• Use: Justifies why the mentorship solution works
(Pointon-Haas, J.)
Timing / Access Friction
Center for Collegiate Mental Health Annual Report
• Type: Clinical dataset across counseling centers
• Key findings:
o Demand exceeds capacity at most campuses
o Counseling centers struggle with availability and wait times
• Why it’s strong: Operational-level evidence of system strain
• Use: Reinforces our “gap in access” claim
(Center for Collegiate Mental Health)
Demographic Disparities
Mental Health Disparities in College Students
• Type: Large dataset analysis
• Key findings:
o Minority and low-income students face higher unmet need
• Why it’s strong: Modern, equity-focused research
• Use: Adds credibility and nuance; increases emotional pull
(Cho, H. N)
Alignment with Organization
Mental Health America Reports & Resources
• Type: National advocacy and research reports
• Key points:
o Emphasis on early intervention
o Focus on community-based support systems
• Why it’s strong: Direct alignment with our campaign (MHA source)
• Use: Legitimizes our initiative as part of a larger movement
(Mental Health America)
Personal Experience
As someone who has struggled with mental health, having free access to professionals makes a world of difference. It can be difficult at first to reach out, but having a place full of people who want to see you be the best version of yourself is incredibly encouraging. Finding and paying for a good therapist on a college budget is near impossible. That is why I believe people should donate and support of this organization. Not only does it help fund further research on mental health, but it helps give access to college students. In addition to all of this, they help lobby for changes on the national government level in support of mental health.
Please donate today, it can truly help save someone’s life!
References
Public stigma of mental illness in the United States: a systematic literature review. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3835659/pdf/nihms524527.pdf
Fenn, Natalie et al. “Examining the relationship between civic engagement and mental health in young adults: a systematic review of the literature.” Journal of youth studies vol. 27,4 (2024): 558-587.
Ibrahim, A. K., Kelly, S. J., Adams, C. E., & Glazebrook, C. (2013). A systematic review of studies of depression prevalence in university students. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 47(3), 391–400. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2012.11.015
Hunt, J., & Eisenberg, D. (2010). Mental health problems and help-seeking behavior among college students. Journal of Adolescent Health, 46(1), 3–10.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2009.08.008
Eisenberg, D., Golberstein, E., & Hunt, J. B. (2009). Mental Health and Academic Success in College. B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis and Policy, 9(1), Article 40. https://doi.org/10.2202/1935-1682.2191
Pointon-Haas, J., Waqar, L., Upsher, R., Foster, J., Byrom, N., & Oates, J. (2023). A systematic review of peer support interventions for student mental health and well-being in higher education. BJPsych open, 10(1), e12. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjo.2023.603
Center for Collegiate Mental Health. (2025). Annual report: 2024–2025. Pennsylvania State University. https://ccmh.psu.edu
Cho, H. N., Jung, K., Eisenberg, D., King, C. A., & Zheng, K. (2025). Barriers to digital mental health services among college students. arXiv preprint.
Mental Health America. (n.d.). Strategic plan and priority areas: Advancing mental health prevention, early intervention, and community-based support. https://mhanational.org/research-and-reports/