Mental health and neurodivergence are tied together, and I want to hear more about it. In the simplest of terms, neurodivergent people are put under a lot of stress by moving through a world that is not designed with them in mind, and that stress can lead to various mental health challenges, especially in college students. 

Understanding the Challenges 

Autistic students’ college experiences tend to be characterized by anxiety, loneliness, and depression. A 2021 study examined data surrounding the health of autistic incoming first-year students, finding that they experience both mental and physical health challenges at higher rates than neurotypical students, and suggested that a lack of adequate health services for autistic students is a factor in their lower graduation rates (Priyanka, Haley, and Eagan et al. 2021). Autistic students self-reported high rates of depression and feelings of overwhelm, while reporting low levels of emotional health. Additionally, the data show that autistic students are more likely to have a learning disability, ADHD, or psychological disorder than neurotypical students. This data may not be surprising to everyone, but I hope you can take a moment to appreciate how quickly challenges can stack up for neurodivergent students. 

As a CEL student scholar, I am seeing lots of research being done to support neurodivergent college students in various ways. All of the research I am seeing can support neurodivergent students in the long term and generally ease the daily stress that often leads to mental health challenges (Gelbar, Smith, and Reichow 2014). However, I believe additional support targeted specifically at mental health remains important, and is an area that I am not seeing a whole lot being done. 

Expanding Campus Support 

Providing more mental health resources to—or making existing resources more known for—autistic students is a step that I believe can be easily made by universities. As a student at Elon University, I see a lot of resources aimed towards supporting students’ mental health, including counseling services, disability resources, and various student organizations with focuses on multiple aspects of mental health. The only resource Elon specifically offers for neurodivergent students is the disability resource office. The disability resource website also has links to about a dozen online resources for neurodivergent students, but it would be up to the student to navigate them. I have not seen any existing resources draw a connection between various mental health challenges and a neurodivergent identity, or recognize the need for mental health support that is so common among neurodivergent students. 

I understand wholeheartedly that I am writing from the perspective of a student who would be among the most active in using possible resources. I am a neurodivergent student, and I have experienced mental health challenges, including depression and anxiety, partly as a result of how hard it can be to be a neurodivergent student. I also know, from personal connections, that many of the existing mental health resources at Elon University—such as disability resources and counseling services—are being used by neurodivergent students. In my own experience, I have found that student organizations that somewhat, but not entirely, relate to my situation are most helpful for me. I imagine it would be incredibly popular if a specific resource existed that focuses specifically on supporting the mental health of neurodivergent students. I encourage those who feel similarly to explore what that could look like. 

References 

Gelbar, Nicholas W., Isaac Smith, and Brian Reichow. 2014. “Systematic Review of Articles Describing Experience and Supports of Individuals with Autism Enrolled in College and University Programs.” Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 44 (10): 2593–2601. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-014-2135-5. 

Priyanka, Fernandes, Madeline Haley, Kevin Eagan, Paul T. Shattuck, and Alice A. Kuo. 2021. “Health Needs and College Readiness in Autistic Students: The Freshman Survey Results.” Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 51 (10): 3506–13. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-020-04814-8. 

About the Author 

Ben Krasnow is a 2024-2027 CEL Student Scholar collaborating with participants in the 2024-2026 research seminar on Affirming and Inclusive Engaged Learning for Neurodivergent Students. He’s majoring in Human Service Studies. Learn more about the current student scholars.   

How to Cite This Post  

Ben Krasnow. 2025. “Mental Health Through a Neurodivergent Lens.” Center for Engaged Learning (blog), Elon University. July 15, 2025. https://www.centerforengagedlearning.org/mental-health-through-a-neurodivergent-lens.