Depression among students in the United States has intensified into a defining higher education crisis, fuelled by academic stress, social disconnection, and financial strain. Beyond medical care, students are turning to unconventional lifelines—ranging from peer dialogue and flexible academic policies to movement, creative expression, and digital boundaries—emphasising resilience, dignity, and a culture of care in confronting mental health challenges. Post navigation Tennessee becomes first US state to introduce gun safety classes in schools: What children as young as five will be taught Travis Hunter receives heartfelt fatherhood advice from Deion Sanders, who considers the Jaguars rookie “like a son”