A report by the JED Foundation, a nonprofit aimed at promoting the emotional health and wellness of teens and young adults and Ascend, a policy advocacy program at the Aspen Institute, explores the mental health needs of parenting students at undergraduate institutions across the country. Using a sample of nearly 45,000 parenting students, the report highlights concerning disparities in mental health outcomes for younger parenting students ages 18-24, indicating they are five times more likely than non-parenting students to report feeling worthless, twice as likely to report feeling left out or isolated, and twice as likely to have considered suicide in the past year. Nearly 15 percent of younger parenting students also reported having six to ten drinks that last time they consumed alcohol. Comparatively, older parenting students 25 years and above, demonstrated a higher degree of resilience and a more positive outlook on the future while also reporting less basic needs insecurity in terms of food and housing. The report includes eight recommendations for postsecondary institutions to better support the mental health of student parents, with specific emphasis on programs and supports that target younger parenting students.
Improving Mental Health of Student Parents: A Framework for Higher Education
Source: The JED Foundation