University Students’ Mental Health in 2025: Generation Overwhelmed?

Background University students remain a high-risk population for mental health issues, with elevated rates of depression, anxiety, and other psychological difficulties continuing beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite increased awareness, many students still face barriers to accessing appropriate care, and social determinants such as financial strain, social isolation, and marginalization continue to exacerbate mental health disparities. Aim This study investigates the current state of mental health among university students in Germany in 2025, examining changes in depressive symptoms, anxiety, and hazardous alcohol use compared to data collected in 2020, 2021, and 2022. Methods An anonymous cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 2,624 Leipzig University students (Germany) between May and June 2025. Participants (≥ 18 years old, currently enrolled) provided informed consent, and data were compared with three prior cross-sectional surveys from 2020, 2021, and 2022. Standardized instruments were used to assess symptoms of depression, anxiety, and hazardous alcohol use, as well as social and emotional factors. Results In 2025, nearly half of Leipzig University students reported clinically relevant depressive symptoms (47.5%), 45.4% reported clinically relevant anxiety, and 25.6% experienced suicidal thoughts, with bachelor’s and Humanities students showing the highest levels of symptoms. Compared to previous surveys (2020–2022), depressive and anxiety symptoms, perceived stress, and loneliness increased, while self-efficacy, resilience, and social support declined, and alcohol and drug use decreased. The prevalence of diagnosed mental disorders reached its highest level to date (34.2%), indicating a persistently high mental health burden and emphasizing the need for targeted interventions. Conclusion The study reveals a persistently high burden of mental health issues among university students in 2025, with nearly half reporting clinically relevant depressive symptoms and over one in four experiencing suicidal ideation, an increase since 2020. Anxiety, stress, and loneliness remain elevated, while social support, self-efficacy, and resilience have declined, emphasizing the urgent need for accessible mental health interventions and longitudinal research to identify protective factors. Study Registration: DRKS00036939 on 30.05.2025.