Students’ mental health can influence whether they persist and ultimately complete college, and most institutions offer robust mental health support for them. Financially vulnerable students reported substantially higher rates of all three mental health concerns than their financially secure peers. Mental health disparities: The differences in mental health outcomes were substantial. Former foster youth also reported higher rates of mental health concerns than students without foster care experience. Beckham said the findings illustrate how mental health challenges can intersect with other pressures students are navigating outside the classroom.