First generation college students are more likely than their peers to lack parental support and guidance, have less access to reliable internet and technology, and may have greater financial challenges. The COVID-19 global pandemic has created more social isolation, while limiting access to mental health services and contact with campus safety nets (e.g., advisors, professors, student affairs practitioners, peers, healthcare professionals). This could contribute to feelings of loneliness, depression, anxiety, and stress which may be self-medicated through the use of substances; reflected in increased sales of alcohol, and even a beer can shortage, since the global pandemic began. These challenges ring particularly true for first generation college students who may be navigating a new academic landscape without the guidance of their parents’ experiences. This roundtable discussion will introduce student affairs practitioners and mental health professionals to a variety of examples of how the media has portrayed research findings related to first generation college students, alcohol and other drugs concerns, and the COVID-19 global pandemic. By the end of the interactive session, all participants will walk away with a plan to better address the intersecting pandemics of mental health, substance misuse, and COVID-19 in their personal practice with first generation college students.