By Dr. Queena Hoang

May marks Mental Health Awareness Month and CalFresh Awareness Month. It is a chance to examine how food insecurity and mental well-being are intertwined, especially for college students.

College brings growth and opportunity, but also significant financial and emotional stress for many students. Tuition, housing, books, and other costs leave students without enough money for food. Financial stress harms academic performance, as noted in the Trellis Strategies Student Financial Wellness Survey, and student mental health. Dr. Sara Abelson, Assistant Professor in the Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine and Senior Director of Education and Training at The Hope Center for Student Basic Needs, shares: “Mental health and mental health care are basic needs that should be a right, not a privilege for all students. Mental health is also deeply impacted by secure access to other basic needs such as food. The Hope Center is dedicated to helping colleges, states, and decision-makers shift from focusing exclusively on strategies to ‘fix’ or treat students and instead transform systems to meet their needs and prevent mental health problems from developing in the first place.” 

A recent study of 91 colleges and thousands of students by the Hope Center found:

• Over 40% of college students reported experiencing food insecurity. 
• 44% of students had clinically significant symptoms of anxiety and/or depression. 
• Among students experiencing anxiety or depression, 71% were also experiencing basic needs insecurity related to food and/or housing. 
• 57% who had previously stopped out (stopped attending college without completing a credential and subsequently re-enrolled) did so because of mental health issues. 

Hunger is more than skipping meals. It’s about the constant mental strain of wondering where your next meal will come. 

The Emotional Weight of Hunger

Without reliable access to nutritious food, student mental health declines. Food insecurity increases rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts in students. Hunger and financial instability make it harder to focus, retain information, or feel engaged on campus. “Food insecurity is a silent mental health crisis on college campuses,” says Dr. Zainab Okolo, Senior Vice President of Policy, Advocacy, and Government Relations at The Jed Foundation. “When students are worrying about where their next meal is coming from, it’s nearly impossible for them to focus, feel safe, or thrive academically. Addressing basic needs like food is not only foundational to supporting student mental health, it is a clear and measurable retention strategy.”

Students juggling school, jobs, and social pressures often feel overwhelmed. Hunger or the guilt of asking for help can push students to a breaking point. Many suffer in silence, unaware that hunger is causing their mental fog, irritability, and burnout.

The Stigma Barrier

Stigma keeps many students from using the resources that exist. Students often feel ashamed or fear judgment for using food assistance programs. Some don’t know they qualify for programs like CalFresh, California’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

CalFresh provides monthly grocery money to eligible students—including those who work, receive work-study, are enrolled in certain programs, or meet income guidelines. Awareness and participation, however, remain low among college populations. Nationally, the Hope Center found that 51% of students with basic needs insecurity did not receive public benefits. In 2019, only 26% of eligible community college students used CalFresh, according to the California Policy Lab. That is compared to 22% of UC undergraduate students and 27% of UC graduate students. Consequently, approximately 100,600 students received CalFresh benefits, while an estimated 297,400 eligible students missed out on benefits, based on the California Policy Lab’s research. 

Breaking the Cycle

Fixing food insecurity on campus is more than a hunger issue—it’s a mental health imperative. Access to food improves emotional regulation, academic performance, and overall well-being. Campuses should promote CalFresh, expand food pantries, and normalize conversations about basic needs.

During this month of awareness, let’s acknowledge that you can’t study well if you’re hungry. You also can’t feel mentally well if your basic needs aren’t met. Students should know that seeking help isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s a step toward thriving.

If you’re struggling, you’re not alone. Reach out to your campus health center, basic needs office, or student support services to learn more about resources. Mental health and nutrition go hand in hand, and you deserve support for both.

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About the Michelson 20MM Foundation

Michelson 20MM is a private, nonprofit foundation working toward equity for underserved and historically underrepresented communities by expanding access to educational and employment opportunities, increasing affordability of educational programs, and ensuring the necessary supports are in place for individuals to thrive. To do so, we work in the following verticals: Digital Equity, Intellectual Property, Smart Justice, Student Basic Needs, and Open Educational Resources (OER). Co-chaired and funded by Alya and Gary Michelson, Michelson 20MM is part of the Michelson Philanthropies network of foundations.