Brandeis Magazine

Every year, U.S. colleges and universities play a vital role in supporting the mental health of the more than 18 million students who attend them. This responsibility is also at the heart of the work being done by the Jed Foundation (known as JED), a national nonprofit that seeks to protect the emotional well-being of teens and young adults.

Last fall, Brandeis became part of the JED Campus network, strengthening the university’s commitment to fostering its students’ well-being. The four-year evidence-based JED Campus program helps colleges and universities enhance mental health systems, reduce substance misuse and prevent suicide. Brandeis joins the more than 440 institutions that participate in the program, which encourages schools to treat student mental health not as the responsibility of a single office but as a shared mission that encompasses multiple facets of campus life.

A 2024 JED report found that students attending JED Campus schools were 25% less likely to report a suicide attempt, 13% less likely to report suicide planning and 10% less likely to report suicidal ideation over the previous year. Students also reported lower rates of anxiety and depression overall.

“This partnership will support a discovery process to identify existing strengths and areas for improvement across the university’s mental health services and infrastructure,” says Lauren Haynie, assistant vice president of student affairs at Brandeis. “The mental health of our students is a top priority, and we are excited to be able to provide these additional resources.”

By joining JED Campus, Brandeis also aims to better support the unique mental health needs of marginalized communities, including first-generation students and students of color.

Funded by the Ortus Foundation, a national nonprofit focused on youth mental health and suicide prevention in high schools and universities, the initiative will pair Brandeis with a dedicated JED adviser who provides ongoing consultation, guidance and technical assistance. Staff members from Brandeis’ counseling, student affairs, academic affairs and public safety offices will participate in the effort.