Supporting Student Success Through Improved Wellbeing
The Student Well-being Fund supports wellness efforts aimed at enhancing student success and well-being.
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, student mental health has been an increasing concern for colleges and universities. Even while the pandemic has brought new mental health challenges for Ñý¼§Ö±²¥, many campus and system leaders, administrators, clinicians, faculty, staff, and Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ know that student mental health has long been a rising concern.
Student well-being is inherently important, and mental health distress also has significant impacts on student’s academic achievement, learning and retention.[1]
At the Ñý¼§Ö±²¥, Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ report significant levels of stress, anxiety, and psychological distress.[2] These mental health challenges negatively impact the student experience and achievement inside and outside the classroom.
- 45.1% report stress impeding academic achievement.
- 41% report anxiety impeding academic achievement, an 8.1% increase since Spring of 2020 (32.9%).
- 81.3% report moderate to high levels of stress during the past 30 days.
- 31.7% report depression impeding academic achievement.
- ~65 % UM Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ feel they lack companionship, feel left out, and isolated from others.
Gifts to the Student Well-being Fund support the following programs:
Wellbeing Coaches
Partner with clients to enhance wellbeing through self-directed 1:1 support sessions and incorporating the dimensions of wellbeing. The current Wellbeing Support Coaches are all Master Level Social Work Ñý¼§Ö±²¥.
Peer Health Education
The peer education model is widely known to be one of the most effective ways to engage college Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ around their health. Our nationally-recognized peer health education program provides campus outreach and educational programming in a variety of settings. Our peer health educators can earn academic credit and receive invaluable pre-professional experience in public and community health.
If you have questions about UM’s NCHA data, please contact the Wellbeing office at 243-2809.
[1] Cohen, 2006; California Education Supports Project, 2009; Deberrard et al., 2004; Hoffman, 2002; Morrison & Kirby, 2010; Shochet et al., 2006
[2] UM National College Health Assessment 2020, 2021, 2023
Student Well-being Fund
To make a gift, please complete the form below.