The Connection Between High-Risk Drinking and Student Mental Health

Real Clear Education
By Amaura Kemmerer
April 24, 2025

The nation’s colleges and universities have doubled down in recent years on their efforts to address the mental health crisis among their students.

The latest Healthy Minds Study paints a troubling picture of mental health and related issues among college students. Nearly 40% of college students show moderate to severe symptoms of depression, while one in three have symptoms of moderate to severe anxiety. As more than a third of college students sought mental health counseling within the past year, increased demand for mental health services continues to put an even greater strain on already overwhelmed campus counseling centers.

Sound student mental health demands that colleges and universities take meaningful action. Yet another pervasive student health issue remains troublesome: drinking, which was the focus of many college students during recent spring breaks. Although alcohol consumption and binge drinking among young people have been on a steady decline since the 1970s, nearly one-third of college students still partake in the risky practice of quickly downing multiple alcoholic drinks. Half of students also report that they regularly pre-game by consuming alcohol before going to parties and other social events.

It’s no coincidence that mental health challenges and alcohol abuse are both so prevalent among college students because the two issues are deeply intertwined. Studies show that some college students resort to pre-gaming to overcome social anxiety. Another recent study found that nearly 60% of college students who pre-game weekly displayed symptoms of social anxiety and depression, while those with more severe symptoms drank more often before attending social events. Drinking also can lead to negative experiences – such as blackouts, injuries, unprotected sex, and doing something they later regret – that can impact students’ mental health.

In the aftermath of spring break and the run-up to final exams and commencement, colleges and universities are once again dealing with the well-documented risks that come with excessive alcohol consumption. Experts know that addressing binge drinking involves not just disciplinary action but also recognizing it as a cornerstone of student health and well-being.

Colleges and universities can address high-risk drinking through a comprehensive combination of education and prevention at the institutional and individual levels. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism suggests numerous environmental strategies to curb drinking among college students. Among these strategies are collaborating with state and local authorities on consistent enforcement of minimum drinking age and fake ID laws, prohibiting alcohol use and sales at campus sporting events, and restricting on-campus alcohol sponsorship and advertising. Direct support for individual students requires institutions to invest in targeted evidence-based interventions that provide assessment and personalized feedback and incorporate psychoeducation.

When institutions identify students with alcohol problems or at risk of developing them, they should offer programs that can help students set goals for limiting their alcohol use, develop skills for refusing alcohol, and manage the stress that might lead them to drink. Colleges also should encourage parents to talk to their students about the dangers of alcohol abuse, remain alert to signs of alcohol-related issues, and maintain open lines of communication so their students can reach out if they need help. Research shows that parents who are less permissive about alcohol use and reinforce healthy behaviors can reduce the likelihood of high-risk drinking among their students.

Some institutions have adopted non-traditional measures to combat high-risk drinking. The University of Michigan developed a mobile app that allows students to track their alcohol consumption and stay in control while they’re socializing. Babson College in Massachusetts has been recognized for its peer education program that provides all incoming students with strategies for coping with drinking behavior among other students and how to help someone experiencing an alcohol-related emergency. Connecticut’s Sacred Heart University is among a growing number of institutions that offer targeted support to students in recovery from alcohol and drugs.

Many campuses have established alcohol and drug education offices responsible for programming, education, assessment, and brief intervention services. Some institutions hire mental health clinicians or alcohol and other drug professionals for these roles. Others are training wellness staff, graduate interns, and other staff members to educate and support students with evidence-based practices, such as the widely used Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students, that can reduce high-risk drinking and improve overall wellness and mental health.

As the academic year heads into the home stretch, institutions should be prepared to support their students during this stressful time. Efforts to reduce high-risk drinking will pay dividends in improving student mental health and reducing the occurrence of drinking-related deaths, injuries, sexual assault, and other harmful events that happen on campuses every year. By acknowledging and addressing both high-risk drinking and mental health, colleges can help more students chart a path toward well-being in college and beyond.