The UAB School of Public Health, UAB Student Counseling Services, Graduate School, are collaborating to conduct a comprehensive prevention-focused, multicomponent, coordinated, multisectoral and collaborative longitudinal mixed-methods study of the impact of COVID-19 and race on student mental health. Additional support for this study is provided by the UAB Mental Health Ambassadors.

UAB is deeply committed to suicide prevention and supporting student mental health and wellbeing. Today’s college students are oftentimes referred to as the “anxious generation” with the increased use of social media and awareness about mental health. Sadly, 39% of students (i.e., 2 out of 5) in college experience a significant mental health issue with only 28% of youth with a major depressive episode receiving treatment. Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among college students nationally.