The mental health landscape in higher education has reached a critical juncture, with an increasing number of students experiencing severe psychological issues. Recent studies have found that over 60% of college students meet the criteria for at least one mental health problem, with significant portions reporting symptoms of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation (Flannery, 2023; Alonso, 2023). Encouragingly, more students are seeking mental health counseling, yet a substantial gap remains, with over 60% not receiving the care they need (Alonso, 2023; Sutton, 2023). The COVID-19 pandemic has further complicated these trends, significantly impacting student enrollment patterns and increasing the need for quality online education and telemental health services. The study aims to address the mental health crisis by focusing specifically on the needs of online students and support strategies that can more effectively support this population. Through a comprehensive, global survey of 338 respondents from diverse roles in higher education, the researchers sought to understand the changing demand and utilization of mental health services among online students, the steps institutions are taking to customize these services, the unique mental health needs online students face, and the barriers preventing them from seeking help. This research reveals that online student demand and utilization of mental health services have significantly increased over the past year, with key challenges including isolation, diverse schedules, and less visible mental health issues. Also, educators identify barriers like lack of awareness, limited service availability, and time constraints in seeking support as especially significant for online students. [This study was collaborated with Uwill.]