EPISODE · Jun 16, 2026 · 43 MIN
#320 Mental Health in College | Alexis Redding, PhD
from SuperPsyched with Dr. Adam Dorsay · host SuperPsyched ©
Host Dr. Adam Dorsay interviews developmental psychologist Dr. Alexis Redding, faculty co-chair of higher education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and editor of Mental Health in College, about supporting college student mental health. Redding explains the book emerged from connecting experts who cared about students but weren’t in conversation, and argues mental health support matters for student engagement, belonging, retention, and the broader developmental work colleges can foster. Drawing on archival interviews from the 1940s and 1970s and contemporary studies of the classes of 2025–2026, she finds core emotions like loneliness and insecurity during transitions remain consistent across generations, despite changes like COVID and social media. She recommends avoiding a constant crisis narrative, training staff to ask clarifying questions about clinical language, and replacing “kids these days” and “best four years” stories with more nuance and vulnerability.00:00 Welcome to SuperPsyched00:49 Meet Alexis Redding02:16 Why This Book Exists04:56 Mental Health Pays Off07:55 Loneliness Then and Now10:37 Roommate Mirror Effect13:45 Transitions Shape Wellbeing16:46 Are Kids Really Different20:33 TikTok Therapy Language26:18 Stop the Crisis Narrative29:29 Ditch Kids These Days35:26 Archeology and Connection38:43 Vulnerability as the Skill43:16 Closing Thanks and SubscribeHelpful Links:Dr. Alexis ReddingMental Health in College - What Research Tells Us About Supporting Students BookDr. Alexis Redding Instagram
What this episode covers
Host Dr. Adam Dorsay interviews developmental psychologist Dr. Alexis Redding, faculty co-chair of higher education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and editor of Mental Health in College, about supporting college student mental health. Redding explains the book emerged from connecting experts who cared about students but weren’t in conversation, and argues mental health support matters for student engagement, belonging, retention, and the broader developmental work colleges can foster. Drawing on archival interviews from the 1940s and 1970s and contemporary studies of the classes of 2025–2026, she finds core emotions like loneliness and insecurity during transitions remain consistent across generations, despite changes like COVID and social media. She recommends avoiding a constant crisis narrative, training staff to ask clarifying questions about clinical language, and replacing “kids these days” and “best four years” stories with more nuance and vulnerability.00:00 Welcome to SuperPsyched00:49 Meet Alexis Redding02:16 Why This Book Exists04:56 Mental Health Pays Off07:55 Loneliness Then and Now10:37 Roommate Mirror Effect13:45 Transitions Shape Wellbeing16:46 Are Kids Really Different20:33 TikTok Therapy Language26:18 Stop the Crisis Narrative29:29 Ditch Kids These Days35:26 Archeology and Connection38:43 Vulnerability as the Skill43:16 Closing Thanks and SubscribeHelpful Links:Dr. Alexis ReddingMental Health in College - What Research Tells Us About Supporting Students BookDr. Alexis Redding Instagram
NOW PLAYING
#320 Mental Health in College | Alexis Redding, PhD
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
No similar episodes found.
Similar Podcasts
No similar podcasts found.