Since Emory began conducting surveys focused on student health almost two decades ago, the resulting student feedback has significantly influenced the university’s ongoing enhancement of well-being support and services for students.
During February, Emory will again invite undergraduate, graduate and professional students to give insight into their well-being needs. On Monday, Feb. 10, students (who are over the age of 18) on the Atlanta and Oxford campuses will find one of two surveys in their inboxes. Half the student body will receive the Healthy Minds Study; the other half will receive the Wellbeing Improvement Survey for Higher Education Settings. The deadline to complete and submit the surveys is Friday, Feb. 28.
“The survey results will contribute to recommendations for advancing the well-being of all Emory students,” says Megan G. Brown, executive director of the Center for Student Wellbeing. “Outcomes from student surveys over the years have shaped Emory’s approach to student support in meaningful ways — and continue to do so.”
Insights from previous surveys have informed initiatives such as expanding mindfulness programs, developing a long-term teletherapy strategy and establishing well-being coaching. They have also guided efforts to strengthen campus coordination for mental health care, collaborate with deans on school-specific support plans and explore new opportunities for integrated health and well-being services.
Many services offered through the Center for Student Wellbeing predate the creation of the center, which itself was informed by student insights.
“By the time Campus Life’s Center for Student Wellbeing was launched in fall 2024, years of student voices, other campus input and national data had influenced plans for the center,” says Brown.
Center for Student Wellbeing support and services have been well received, including the signature Wellbeing Coaching Service. Launched in 2023, the service has already held more than 220 coaching sessions for Emory students who want to make changes in their lives through action-oriented, solution-focused and collaborative goal setting.
Cross-university partnerships are key
Collaborating with a range of organizations throughout the university is central to Emory’s holistic approach to enhancing student well-being. According to Brown, the notable success of such collaborations underscores how dedicated the university community is to supporting student well-being.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Emory faculty to embed the Reframes campaign techniques into the refreshed Health 100 course next year,” Brown says. “The techniques, which facilitate coping with life’s unexpected detours, help ensure every incoming undergraduate is introduced to key practices like growth mindset, normalizing struggle, self-compassion and authentic connection.
“We're also excited about collaborating with the Center for Contemplative Science and Compassion-Based Ethics to offer more mindfulness and compassion skills training at Emory. We know these practices help reduce stress and anxiety while fostering a more caring, connected community,” she adds.
Another collaboration with other university organizations has placed Emory on the road to becoming a U.S. Health Promoting Campus — an international standard for institutions of higher education that make well-being a central part of their mission.
“Emory has prioritized ensuring that every student stays healthy and thrives. Student input and partnership are essential to that goal,” Brown says. “Our students do an amazing job of using their voices, and these surveys go a step further by creating a collective voice on well-being so we can further enhance opportunities for our students to flourish.”
She adds: “I encourage every Emory student to look for the health and well-being surveys in their email inboxes on Monday, Feb. 10, and complete the survey to ensure that your voice is heard.”