Dallas College Leads Coalition to Strengthen College Student Mental Health

Media Contact: C.C. Gonzalez-Kurz; NewsTeam@DallasCollege.edu

For immediate release — March 5, 2026

DALLAS – Dallas College leads coalition to strengthen college student mental health, at a time when more than one-third of Texas college students report symptoms of depression and nearly half report anxiety.

Dallas College, in partnership with Alamo Colleges District, The Hope Center for Student Basic Needs, Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute, Texas State University System and Trellis Strategies, has released “Strengthening College Student Mental Health: A Practical Playbook for the State of Texas.” The Texas-focused resource provides higher education leaders with a practical, scalable roadmap to expand access to mental health services, reduce stigma around seeking help and build campus systems that support student success.

“These numbers are not abstract — they represent the daily reality for students across our state,” said Dr. Justin Lonon, Dallas College chancellor. “Mental health is directly tied to student persistence, completion and workforce readiness. This playbook reflects our commitment to busting barriers that stand between students and the support they need to meet their educational goals. By tackling stigma, increasing awareness and expanding access, we are building systems that empower students to thrive.”

The playbook is grounded in the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute’s Minding College Minds framework and informed by data from colleges and universities across the state. It includes real-world examples from coalition partners, including Dallas College, demonstrating how strategies can be implemented effectively on diverse campuses.

“This playbook reflects what’s possible when institutions come together around a shared commitment to student success,” said Dr. Beatriz Joseph, vice chancellor of student success. “By aligning research, policy expertise and real-world campus strategies, we are equipping colleges across Texas with actionable solutions to support student well-being.”

The release comes amid stark findings about student mental health in Texas:

• 34% of Texas community college students report symptoms consistent with major depressive disorder, and 45% report symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (Student Financial Wellness Survey, 2024).
• 74% of Texas students experiencing depression or anxiety also face food insecurity, housing insecurity or homelessness (Hope Impact Report, 2024).
• 39% of Texas community college students are unaware that mental health services are available on their campuses (Student Financial Wellness Survey, 2024).
• 64% of currently enrolled students say emotional stress or mental health concerns were a significant reason they considered stopping out (Gallup-Lumina, 2024).
• 246 of Texas’ 254 counties are designated Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas (Texas Department of State Health Services, 2024).

“These data make it clear that student mental health is directly tied to student persistence, completion and workforce readiness,” said David Mahan, executive director of Dallas College’s Research Institute. “Colleges are not just responding to a crisis — we are part of the solution.”

A Practical Roadmap for Institutions

The playbook outlines five strategic recommendations to transform student mental health systems statewide, including:

• Adopt a public health approach to overall well-being
• Develop a data-driven mental health ecosystem
• Close gaps in student access and outcomes
• Cultivate caring campuses and communities
• Maximize the mental health care workforce

Each recommendation is supported by research and illustrated with implementation examples from coalition institutions. Dallas College’s contributions highlight scalable models that can be replicated across Texas and beyond.

Dallas College Leading the Way

As one of the largest community college systems in the state, Dallas College is uniquely positioned to lead large-scale change. Through its collaboration with the coalition and its Research Institute, the college is helping translate data into actionable strategies that institutions of all sizes can adopt.

The playbook also creates opportunities for Dallas College to provide training, technical assistance and capacity-building support to other institutions seeking to strengthen their mental health systems. By sharing lessons learned and implementation strategies, Dallas College is helping shape a coordinated, statewide response.

“As Texas faces a shortage of licensed mental health professionals, colleges and universities must play a greater role in early intervention, prevention and connection to care,” said Dr. Carlos Cruz, associate vice chancellor, well-being and social support at Dallas College. “Through this coalition effort, Dallas College is demonstrating that higher education institutions can lead systemic change.”

The playbook is available to higher education leaders, policymakers and community partners committed to improving student outcomes and advancing mental health across Texas. To learn more, join Dallas College and coalition leaders as they present their findings during a webinar, From Playbook to Practice, hosted by Trellis Strategies on April 23, noon-1 p.m.

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