Struggling with mental health has become a common experience in college. And yet, instead of responding with urgency, the federal government is cutting funding.

But as the federal government is investing less in mental health, USF is doing the opposite. 

Through investing in research, continuing to support new initiatives and a campus-wide focus on mental health, USF is demonstrating what it means to prioritize mental health.

Related: OPINION: Facing imposter syndrome as a USF student

President Donald Trump’s 2026 budget proposal includes more than $1 billion in cuts to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the agency tasked with responding to the nation’s growing behavioral health needs. 

A proposed restructuring would combine SAMHSA, along with four other agencies, into a new organization called the Administration for a Healthy America. 

The creation of AHA is to do “a lot more – at a lower cost to the taxpayer,” according to a HHS press release. 

That framing may sound beneficial, but the reality is far from harmless. Cutting SAMHSA funding could destroy essential prevention, treatment and education programs that communities — including college campuses — rely on. 

The School Mental Health Collaborative: Research, Training, and Technical Assistance Center is a part of a nationwide initiative with researchers from three different college campuses — including USF. 

The center’s goal is “to help educators and parents promote the mental health of children and adolescents,” its website stated. 

SAMHSA is one of the center’s funding sources, and 74% of its funding comes from federal grants, according to its website. 

But as the federal government slashes mental health funding, USF is becoming a national model for what real support looks like.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 1620 on Wednesday, which details the creation of the state’s largest behavioral health services research institute. This impactful center will be part of the USF College of Behavioral and Community Sciences.

Additionally, USF was awarded $5 million last year to establish the Florida Center for Behavioral Health Workforce, which focuses on recruiting and retaining behavioral health professionals. 

The center is already launching impactful studies, such as researching the barriers to passing the social worker licensing exam. 

Related: USF’s suicide prevention initiatives include new hires, signs

These initiatives show that USF prioritizes investing in mental health and equipping the next generation of mental health professionals. 

However, it is important to note that while USF considers the future of mental health, it also invests in the present. 

USF stands out because of its support for students in every aspect of campus life. 

The USF Counseling Center excels in this by having “liaison relationships with strategic partners around campus,” said Counseling Center Director Scott Strader. 

The Counseling Center makes this investment clear in its vision, which is to “meet the changing mental health needs of a diverse campus community” and provide “accessible mental health services.” 

This vision is brought to life by the variety of resources offered, such as appointments, online tools, workshops and suicide prevention training.   

The Counseling Center’s focus is to “ serve the campus community in a way that goes beyond individual and group counseling,” Strader said.

While SAMHSA’s future hangs in the balance, USF continues to take steps to “promote the well-being of the campus community,” as envisioned by the Counseling Center’s mission statement. 

Strader said the Counseling Center is on track to have the largest staff in eight years, and its programs will continue to expand. 

USF’s easily accessible resources should be seen not as a replacement for federal investment, but as a blueprint for what others should build upon. It’s a call for state governments, campuses and especially federal leaders to take student well-being seriously.

Mental health may no longer be a national priority, but at USF, it still is.