Top 5 Mental Health Issues for Students Seeking Telehealth Help

Telehealth has become one of the most common ways students access mental health support. It’s flexible, accessible, and often easier to fit into already packed schedules. While every student’s experience is different, certain mental health concerns come up again and again in telehealth therapy.

Here are the top five mental health issues students most often seek telehealth support for, and why online therapy works so well for each.

1. Anxiety (in All Its Forms)

Anxiety is the most common reason students seek therapy. This can include:

• • constant worry or overthinking

  • social anxiety and fear of judgment

  • panic attacks

  • test anxiety and performance stress

Telehealth works well for anxiety because many effective approaches — such as CBT, ACT, and mindfulness-based therapies — translate easily to online sessions. Students often feel more at ease talking from a familiar environment, which can reduce anxiety during therapy itself.

2. Depression and Motivation Difficulties

Students seek telehealth support for depression that may show up as:

• • low motivation or energy

  • feeling down

  • feeling numb or disconnected

  • difficulty concentrating

  • changes in sleep or appetite

Telehealth lowers barriers when depression makes leaving home feel overwhelming. Consistent access to care can help students stay connected even during periods of low energy or motivation.

3. Academic Stress and Burnout

Many students don’t identify as “mentally ill” but feel emotionally exhausted from academic pressure. Telehealth therapy often focuses on:

• managing overwhelm and time pressure

• procrastination (that has a protective function but may cause problems in itself)

• perfectionism and fear of failure

• burnout and emotional exhaustion

• balancing school, work, and personal life

This type of support can be short-term, practical, and highly tailored to the student’s current stressors.

4. Identity, Relationships, and Life Transitions

College and graduate school are major periods of identity development. Students frequently seek telehealth therapy to work through:

• • relationship conflicts

  • family stress

  • cultural or identity-related concerns

  • questions around sexuality, gender, or values

Telehealth expands access to therapists who specialize in specific identities or lived experiences, which can be especially meaningful for students seeking affirming care.

5. ADHD, Neurodivergence, and Emotional Regulation

Many students seek telehealth help for:

• • ADHD-related or autism-related challenges

  • executive functioning difficulties

  • emotional regulation

  • suspected or newly identified neurodivergence

Therapy may focus on practical strategies, self-understanding, and reducing shame. Telehealth offers flexibility and structure that can be particularly supportive for neurodivergent students.

Don’t feel that if you are seeking telehealth therapy, you are “failing” — people seek it because they’re navigating complex academic, social, and emotional demands. Telehealth makes mental health care more accessible and adaptable to real student life.

Also you don’t need to be incredibly severely ill or in crisis to benefit from support. Many students use telehealth therapy to build skills, gain clarity, and feel less alone during demanding seasons of life.

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