1. How irritability and emotion dysregulation (difficulties in emotion regulation) are associated?

Irritability is a persistent pattern of anger and angry outbursts, while emotion dysregulation is the inability to regulate emotional intensity, characterized by unpredictable emotional changes. These are interconnected transdiagnostic factors that contribute to depression and anxiety during college years. Evidence show that students with these vulnerabilities experience greater symptom burden and impact on their academic performance, relationships, and functioning.

2. What are some major barriers to college mental health care?

College mental health faces substantial access gaps, such as long wait times, demands exceeding capacity, and unchanged budgets devoted to mental health prevention and promotion. Only 20-40% of students with psychiatric disorders seek treatment. Mental health stigma, particularly personal stigma and fear of being labeled, is a primary barrier. Financial and structural barriers prevent nearly one in five students from seeking care. Disparities persist for students of color, lower-income students, and other marginalized groups, who face additional obstacles to accessing culturally-responsive treatment.

3. How can AI and innovative research methods improve college mental health access?

AI-driven approaches have the potential to provide a more ongoing support, identify at-risk students for proactive interventions, and improve symptoms. Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) captures real-time emotional data throughout daily life, while Ecological Momentary Intervention (EMI) delivers tailored support when students need it most. These methods can promote equitable access by removing financial and logistical barriers, reducing stigma, and meeting students where they are. Combined with mindfulness-based practices and attention to social determinants of health, they create accessible, evidence-based interventions for diverse student populations.

References

American Psychiatric Association. (2024). Barriers to care and resilience among college students of color. https://www.psychiatry.org/news-room/apa-blogs/mental-health-disparities-college-students

Eisenberg, D., Downs, M. F., Golberstein, E., & Zivin, K. (2009). Stigma and help seeking for mental health among college students. Medical Care Research and Review, 66(5), 522–541. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077558709335173

Finkelstein-Fox, L., Park, C. L., & Riley, K. E. (2018). Mindfulness and emotion regulation: Promoting well-being during the transition to college. Anxiety, Stress, & Coping, 31(6), 639–653. https://doi.org/10.1080/10615806.2018.1518635

Higher Ed Today. (2024). Leveraging AI to support student mental health and well-being. https://www.higheredtoday.org/2024/10/16/ai-student-mental-health/

Mental Health America. (2025). College and university response to mental health crises. https://mhanational.org/position-statements/college-and-university-response-to-mental-health-crises/

Pedrelli, P., Nyer, M., Holt, D., Bakow, B. R., Fava, M., Baer, L., Cassiello, C., Mulligan, M., Cusin, C., & Farabaugh, A. (2013). Correlates of irritability in college students with depressive symptoms. The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 201(11), 953–958. https://doi.org/10.1097/NMD.0000000000000038

Vidourek, R. A., King, K. A., Nabors, L. A., & Merianos, A. L. (2014). Students' benefits and barriers to mental health help-seeking. Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine, 2(1), 1009–1022. https://doi.org/10.1080/21642850.2014.963586