## DEI bans and the Unintended Consequences for College Mental Health
Across the country, college counseling centers are curtailing vital mental health services due to concerns about compliance with recently enacted Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) bans.These cuts disproportionately impact support for specific at-risk student populations, including young men struggling with pornography use and female survivors of sexual assault, and are occurring despite these services not being the intended target of the legislation. Critically, many of these clinical groups serve students experiencing suicidal ideation.
### precedent: DEI Bans Impeding Targeted Mental Health Support
Targeted mental health promotion for high-risk groups is a recognized component of effective suicide prevention strategies. Though, recent events demonstrate a precedent for DEI bans hindering such outreach. Following the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel, several state legislatures called for increased support for Jewish students on college campuses. A report published on *Forbes.com* in January 2025 detailed how many counseling centers in states with DEI bans refrained from actively promoting or providing this enhanced support, fearing potential legal violations. This suggests a similar pattern is emerging with services for other identified high-risk groups for suicide.
### Uncertainty Surrounding Healthcare Exemptions
Numerous health associations are actively seeking clarification from goverment officials regarding the submission of DEI bans to clinical services delivered by licensed healthcare providers on campus. Some states, including Alabama and Iowa, have already incorporated healthcare exemptions into their DEI legislation, with representatives in other states indicating plans to advocate for similar provisions.
Despite these efforts, the scope of medical exemptions within DEI bans remains largely unclear and has received limited coverage in mainstream media. A memo released in 2025 by the Office of the attorney General provided guidance on unlawful discrimination for recipients of federal funding, defining preferential treatment as actions that disadvantage other qualified individuals. Some experts argue that mental health services do not meet this definition, as participation in therapy by one group does not inherently disadvantage others, given the non-competitive nature of counseling. Furthermore, the DOJ memo’s exemption for same-sex separations based on privacy, safety, or athletic opportunity has led some to interpret that the higher standard of confidentiality in counseling may permit gender-specific therapy groups. Though, no official interpretation of the DOJ memo currently exists.
college mental health services offer unique opportunities for suicide prevention in emerging adults, and the government has generally expressed support for these efforts. While DEI bans in higher education were not specifically designed to target mental health or suicide prevention initiatives, their wording is having the unintended result of eliminating crucial clinical services and outreach programs, potentially impacting initiatives like Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.
