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The �������� (ACHA) is concerned about decisions to close college and university offices and programs designed to support diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and accessibility (DEIJA) for students. These programs play critical roles in fostering a sense of belonging on campus, an important factor directly impacting a student’s health and well-being, and ultimately, academic success.

With 800 institutional members and 12,000 individual members who represent the diversity of the higher education health and well-being community, ��������is the voice for student health and well-being and works to support and create environments where all students, faculty, and staff can thrive.

According to a recent American College Health Foundation study, The Influence of Environmental Factors, Including Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, on the Emotional Well-Being of Students, Staff, and Faculty, “perceived institutional support of individual identities is the strongest predictor of emotional well-being among” college communities.

ACHA’s spring 2024 national survey of more than 79,000 undergraduate students found that of the students who participated in the survey:

• 21% of all students, 22% of BIPOC students, 33% of queer-spectrum students, and 41% of trans-spectrum students were experiencing serious psychological distress
• 77% of all students, 77% of BIPOC students, 85% of queer-spectrum students, and 86% of trans-spectrum students reported they had experienced moderate or high-stress levels within the last 30 days)
• 50% of all students, 52% of BIPOC students, 60% of queer-spectrum students, and 65% of trans-spectrum students met the criteria for experiencing loneliness
• Only 68% of all students, 63% of BIPOC students, 61% of queer-spectrum students, and 57% of trans-spectrum students agreed or strongly agreed that they felt they “belonged” at their college/university

At a time when large numbers of our nation’s students are struggling with their mental health and well-being, especially among underrepresented and minority groups, we should be investing more to promote student success through efforts to foster belonging, promote community, and provide emotional security, not less.

��������encourages government officials, colleges, and universities to strengthen institutional efforts to foster belonging through diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and accessibility and, in so doing, improve student mental health and well-being and academic success.

See also:

• ��������Non-Discrimination Policy
• ��������Anti-Bias/Anti-Violence Statement