Although mental health is a multifaceted issue, an abundance of research has demonstrated that social relationships directly correlate with well-being. For example, the Harvard Study of Adult Development, the longest study of happiness, has been tracking participants’ psychological adjustment since 1938. According to the study, the biggest predictor of happiness is the quality of one’s relationships. The research tells us that we can prevent the development of mental health problems by improving social connectedness.

Addressing college student mental health will undoubtedly require a whole-campus, multipronged approach. One of the foundations of that approach is to create opportunities for sustained, authentic and meaningful connections between students and their peers.