Healthy Minds Survey reveals promising insights, areas needing renewed attention

Results published Tuesday indicate Harvard students outperformed the national average on indicators associated with mental wellbeing, campus belonging, and awareness and utilization of support services. However, University officials mention there are chances to enhance knowledge of specific mental health resources and strengthen connections among students within the campus.

The information, collected through the Healthy Minds Survey, examined responses on various aspects including anxiety, depression, disordered eating, suicidality, and binge drinking. It also assessed students’ feelings of belonging on campus, delving into issues of loneliness and isolation. The third set of data gathered gauged students’ awareness of campus resources and highlighted access barriers.

The Healthy Minds Survey took place at Harvard in spring 2025. With a response rate of 25 percent, over 5,900 students from undergraduate and graduate Schools completed the 25-minute survey. Healthy Minds, a national movement initiated in 2007 by the University of Michigan, administered the survey, which aims to collect data regarding mental health on college campuses. Since its start, more than 850,000 students from 600 colleges and universities have participated, including Stanford University, MIT, Tufts University, and Boston University.

A collaborative effort between the Office of the Associate Provost for Student Affairs and Harvard University Health Services, the Healthy Minds survey at Harvard arises from recommendations outlined in the 2020 Report of the Task Force on Managing Student Mental Health. To gain insights about the survey data, progress since 2020, and forthcoming actions, the Gazette conversed with Robin Glover, associate provost for student affairs, Giang Nguyen, associate provost for campus health and wellbeing and executive director of Harvard University Health Services (HUHS), and Barbara Lewis, senior director of student mental health and chief of Counseling and Mental Health Services (CAMHS).

Why did the University execute the Healthy Minds survey last spring?

Glover: One of the suggestions from the Task Force on Managing Student Mental Health was for the University to systematically gather data on student mental wellbeing. We had previously conducted smaller surveys, but we lacked a thorough, University-wide mental health survey. Moreover, it had been several years since we implemented the task force’s recommendations, and we wanted to assess our progress.

Nguyen: We also aimed to gauge our position compared to college and university students nationwide. Healthy Minds presented us with the ideal framework. It is a well-established survey conducted with hundreds of thousands of students across the nation over many years. It provided a valuable platform to comprehend the Harvard student experience and compare it to peers at other higher education institutions. We are truly appreciative of all the students who dedicated their time to complete the survey. The insights are priceless as we deliberate the next steps for services and resources available on campus.

The results are categorized by mental health, belonging, and service utilization. What was the most intriguing or significant finding from each category?

Nguyen: In terms of mental health, generally, Harvard students’ reported mental wellness is superior to what we observe nationally. On the emotional flourishing scale, for instance, 47 percent of Harvard students fell within the flourishing range compared to 38 percent in the national sample. Additionally, while not free from anxiety or depression, Harvard students face these issues at a lower rate than their national counterparts (22 percent versus 36 percent nationally for depression, 23 percent versus 32 percent for anxiety). Nevertheless, we aspire to see increased flourishing rates and diminished anxiety or depression.

Glover: Regarding belonging, the data presented was highly encouraging. Eighty-one percent strongly agree or agree that they feel a sense of belonging at Harvard, and 83 percent view themselves as part of the community. This was a reassuring discovery because we recognize that engaging with others in our campus community can be difficult for some students. However, 45 percent reported feeling disconnected from campus life, and 68 percent believe that others are more informed about campus happenings. This suggests an opportunity for everyone in our community to share information about educational, social, or wellness events and activities taking place on campus.

Lewis: Concerning the use of services available on campus, 89 percent of students remarked they are aware of mental health care and services accessible to them. This was very gratifying as we have put significant effort over the past few years into raising awareness of the resources we provide and improving timely access to services.

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In a similar fashion, we were astonished that financial factors emerged as an obstacle to access. Numerous services and assistance we provide to students are actually at no cost, leading us to believe there’s some education needed regarding that aspect.

Was there anything that caught you off guard about the data overall?

Glover: Although students were generally aware of the mental health services available, they were less familiar with the particular offerings and indicated that they had not been informed within the last academic year. This implies that we might need to be more deliberate in highlighting the specific services we provide. It’s also essential that we remind students each year about available services and reach out to them through various channels. As students graduate annually, maintaining an ongoing flow of outreach and information is crucial so they understand what we provide and how they can seek assistance.

Binge drinking was one of the areas where Harvard reported higher rates than the national data. Any reflections on why or what the University might implement to enhance the situation?

Lewis: Binge drinking rates were slightly elevated compared to the national norm. Twenty-nine percent of Harvard students indicated binge drinking, contrasted with a 26 percent national average. This signals that we have work to do in this domain. Collaborative efforts with students could help us better understand this information and how we might tackle it. Our Center for Wellness and Health Promotion provides one-on-one sessions for students to converse about their relationship with alcohol or other substances. This is a resource we should spotlight more regularly.

Does the data indicate progress in relation to the recommendations from the 2020 Task Force on Managing Student Health?

Glover: One of our objectives for the Implementation Committee of the Managing Student Mental Health Task Force was to enhance awareness and access to services and resources on campus. The data reveals that a considerable majority of students are cognizant of the mental health resources available and are utilizing them. Our website — www.harvard.edu/wellbeing — has played a significant role in this awareness by creating a centralized resource for students. Previously, we operated under a very decentralized model, making it difficult for students to locate the support they needed.

Lewis: Regarding access, our engagement with care has increased, with initial consultations for mental health care at Counseling and Mental Health Services rising 14 percent annually over the past two years. Overall, 79 percent of students express satisfaction with the services they receive. We have also significantly reduced wait times for accessing services by establishing our Clinical Access Team, composed of licensed clinicians dedicated to initial consultations, who subsequently refer students to suitable resources including CAMHS, TimelyCare, or a community professional. Consequently, wait times for non-urgent needs have been notably diminished. These improvements, as shown by data, are making a significant impact.

How do you interpret the imposter syndrome findings for Harvard students?

Glover: The findings concerning imposter syndrome were somewhat unexpected but not entirely surprising. These inquiries revolved around whether students gauge their abilities against others and if they fear being revealed as less competent than their peers. About six out of ten Harvard students often compare themselves to their colleagues, believing others may be more intelligent. Fifty-two percent of students are concerned that others will uncover how much knowledge or ability they lack.

Lewis: Imposter syndrome can result in feelings of solitude, emphasizing the need to address it and ensure all students recognize that they have a place here. Some strategies to consider include openly discussing imposter syndrome, providing workshops, celebrating student achievements, fostering mentorship, and redefining success to encompass effort and growth.

Can you elaborate on the findings related to isolation and loneliness? Do you perceive this as part of a broader trend?

Nguyen: Indeed, 45 percent of Harvard students reported feelings of isolation on campus. It’s unsurprising to see such data among Harvard students, and, of course, it’s not exclusive to Harvard. There’s a national crisis of isolation and loneliness. The question remains — how do we address it? How can we support students in feeling less isolated and alone? Being in a university environment affords us a unique chance to cultivate feelings of belonging and nurture connections. This is an area we will want to investigate as we move forward.

What do you think accounts for financial factors rising as a primary obstacle to accessing services? Is this an issue that can be remedied?

Lewis: This data underscores the need for education, as many mental health services provided at Harvard are free for students. Students can access Counseling and Mental Health Services and TimelyCare for short-term mental health care at no expense. At Harvard, financial issues should not hinder a student from starting care.

If a student requires long-term care, they may need to utilize their health insurance plan. We understand insurance can be perplexing for students, but the CAMHS Clinical Access Team is available to assist students in navigating their insurance. This support is invaluable, yet not many students are aware of it. Appointments can be arranged online, making this service easily accessible.

In light of this data, where will the focus lie going forward?

Glover: We must maintain our outreach to remind students about the services available and stress that they can receive timely care. Emphasis on specific services may be beneficial, alongside exploring various outreach strategies. Additionally, we will examine the specific issues of isolation, imposter syndrome, and binge drinking, as indicated earlier, since our data has shown areas for enhancement in those regards.

Where can students learn more about the mental health and support services available on campus?

Nguyen: A solid starting point is our wellbeing website at www.harvard.edu/wellbeing or our CAMHS website. Students (along with the faculty or staff who support them) can also access School-specific resources via the Crimson folder for their School. It’s always wise to connect with Student Affairs staff at the College or your School as they possess knowledge of all the resources available to students at Harvard.