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Student mental health isn’t just about “feeling okay” — it’s a foundation for academic success, strong relationships, and overall well-being, yet many students struggle with stress, anxiety, bullying, and burnout without enough support. Around 1 in 5 students globally deal with significant mental health challenges like anxiety, depression, or substance misuse, and pressure from academics and life can make coping even harder.

Schools, families, and communities can help by teaching social-emotional skills, building strong relationships, reducing stigma, and creating spaces for honest conversation and self-care. Practical strategies like staying connected, using coping skills (like journaling, mindfulness, or physical activity), and seeking professional support can make a big difference for students who feel overwhelmed.

Read More: How 3 Universities Are Prioritizing Student Mental Health (National Council for Mental Wellbeing)

Snapchat just settled a high-profile lawsuit from a teenager who said algorithms and addictive design on social media contributed to mental health struggles and compulsive use, part of a broader wave of cases targeting platforms for their impact on young users’ well-being. In response, Snapchat has expanded its Family Center parental controls, letting parents see how much time teens spend on the app and who they’re adding as friends, including context like mutual friends or shared groups.

The idea is to help adults start honest conversations about screen time and online connections instead of leaving teens to navigate it alone. While this doesn’t solve all concerns about addiction and stress tied to social media, it’s a step toward more transparency and intentional use — and a reminder that digital habits affect emotional health.

Read More: After settling lawsuit, Snapchat adds new parental controls for teens (Mashable)

AI chatbots are everywhere — and while many teens use them for homework or fun, there’s growing concern about how they affect emotional health when teens turn to them for companionship or mental-health support. A significant number of teens are talking to AI bots almost like friends, and psychologists warn that chatbots can reinforce harmful ideas about violence, sex, or self-harm instead of gently guiding users toward real help.

In some reported cases, extended interactions with these conversational AIs were linked to disturbing violence-related roleplay and even tragic outcomes when vulnerable teens didn’t get human support when they needed it most. Experts urge parents and caregivers to stay curious and engaged about how teens use these tools, to talk openly about online experiences, and to help young people connect with real-world relationships and trusted adults when tough feelings show up.

Read More: Teens are having disturbing interactions with chatbots. Here's how to lower the risks (NPR)

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