How Campuses Are Utilizing Public Health and Social Change Models to Impact Well-Being

Mental health and other dimensions of wellness in higher education continue to be a priority among students, staff, faculty, and administration. Most are in agreement that the conversation must shift away from individual wellness indicators and towards a more holistic well-being approach that includes effective policies, programs and services. Through informal surveys and online conversations, it’s clear that student health and counseling centers still often perceive themselves as being responsible for student well-being and that a conversation about how to engage and break down silos with other campus entities on well-being work is needed. Campuses utilizing public health and social change models in order to guide campus-wide well-being efforts are proving beneficial. After this session, attendees will be able to better understand what evidence-based methods and models are useful for well-being work, the processes campuses are using to choose a functional model and some of the challenges and successes resulting from their use.