BetterMynd, an online therapy platform that bills itself as a mental health tool for college students, is partnering with Maricopa’s Central Arizona College to provide free, confidential mental-health counseling to students, the college announced. Students can schedule private 50-minute video visit mental health sessions any time of the day or night.

The National Education Association recently called student mental health “a crisis” nationwide, noting many counseling centers are overwhelmed and under-resourced.

CAC leaders say it’s a needed move, as an increasing share of students say they’re managing stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, housing or financial problems and academic pressures.

“Our partnership with BetterMynd allows us to provide a valuable resource, ensuring students have access to the care and support they need,” said Dave Leenhouts, CAC dean of student development in a news release.

Local students say the need for stronger mental health support goes well beyond college campuses. Maricopa High School student Josiah Grubbs-Richard said mental health education in local schools is limited and leaves many teens struggling without tools or resources.

“In our school and community, one of the biggest issues we face is the lack of strong mental health education and support for students. Right now, mental health is only covered briefly in health class, but students deal with real challenges like stress, anxiety and depression every day,” he said in a letter to InMaricopa‘s editor last week. “This is a major concern for our community because many young people are struggling silently without the knowledge, tools or resources to care for their mental well-being,” he said.

CAC’s efforts mirror what is happening across the country. Many U.S. college students face serious mental-health struggles, even as more seek help. According to a recent survey, about 2 in 5 college students report therapy or counseling sessions during the prior year. One-third reported taking psychiatric medication.

It’s not all doom and gloom.

Another study finds that 18% of students reported severe depression and/or suicidal thoughts in 2025, which dropped from 23% in 2022. Suicidal ideations among college students dropped, too. Eleven percent of students reported thoughts of suicide, down from 15% just three years ago.

As a pandemic-era holdover, teletherapy and digital mental-health services are the new normal. CAC leaders call it a “new era” of campus counseling, giving community college students in Maricopa expanded hours and access.

In addition to one-on-one teletherapy, CAC leaders said BetterMynd offers free monthly wellbeing workshops exclusively for its students, who can sign up through their personal online dashboard.