A significant share of higher education (HE) students worldwide is experiencing mental health challenges and expressing the need for higher education institutions (HEIs) to provide mental health services. HEIs have a responsibility to support students’ mental health, in alignment with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 of good health and well-being. Governments have a responsibility to facilitate this support through policies, mainly funding. Students' access to mental health services is hindered by insufficient institutional capacity to provide mental healthcare, financial barriers and perceptions about mental health. This SDG brief identifies good practices from around the world and provides recommendations to HEIs and governments on how to improve student mental health. Students must be provided with access to free mental healthcare services in diverse modalities, and sufficient qualified staff who understand diverse backgrounds and identities. HEIs and governments must also collaborate to raise mental health literacy among students, staff and the public, combating mental health misconceptions and stigma. Through training, faculty can identify students with mental health challenges, orientate them towards relevant resources and, under clear policies, consider academic accommodations. Systematic data collection and monitoring enables HEIs and governments to identify gaps, improve mental healthcare service quality, and shape evidence-based policies.