Well-being @ Harvard Medical School

Students enhance and empower each others' well-being.
Well-being is personal, dynamic and multifaceted.
HMS promotes well-being across all dimensions.

Our Mission Statement

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At Harvard Medical School, we recognize that each student has their own personal, multifaceted and dynamic definition of well-being. Our goal is to empower students to define and strive towards their own sense of well-being and bring their full selves to their work as student doctors and future physicians. We aim to achieve this mission by:

  • Normalizing the human experience of both joy and suffering
  • Fostering a strong, integrated community of social support and close collaboration among students, faculty and administrators and an open, supportive culture
  • Equipping students with practical skills to promote well-being across physical, mental, financial, spiritual, social and intellectual dimensions

From providing funds for student-led well-being activities to promoting well-being in the curriculum, the Office of Student Affairs is excited to see our students thrive. In particular, we sponsor community-building activities every semester such as:

  • Well-being Panel during ITP
  • Goat Yoga on the HMS Quad
  • Fall Apple Picking
  • OSA Open House
  • Society Mixers and Holiday Gatherings
  • Spring Into Wellness​​​​

Community building activities are coordinated through the Office of Student Affairs, in collaboration with the faculty and staff who support student life in the Academic Societies, Vanderbilt Hall, the Office of Learning Resources and Support and the Office of Disability Services. Community building activities and activities that support student wellness are also coordinated through Countway Library.

Give Feedback or Share Ideas

Well-being needs evolve as each one of us grows and as our experiences and environment change with time. Well-being activities and focus should change as well in response to the needs and aims of all students. All students are invited to reach out and speak up for well-being needs they see for themselves and their colleagues. Reach out to the Office of Student Affairs via email, or stop in to speak with one of our staff members during regular hours of operation.

Harvard University Health & Well-being Resources

Harvard University offers several university-wide resources to support your well-being as an HMS student.

TimelyCare Take advantage of TimelyCare, the virtual health and well-being platform that provides free virtual health and well-being services twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week to HMS students.

CAMHS Cares Line: 617-495-2042 A 24/7 support line for Harvard students who have mental health concerns, whether they are in immediate distress or not, on-campus or elsewhere.

When and how can you find support from CAMHS Cares?

  • At all times, including evenings, weekends and holidays, students can follow the prompts to speak directly with a CAMHS Cares Counselor about an urgent concern or if they just need to talk to someone about a difficult challenge or mental health issue (whether on their own behalf or a peer’s).
  • Have a routine administrative question? During CAMHS business hours, call 617-495-2042 and press 1 (one) to speak directly with a CAMHS administrative assistant to make, change or cancel a routine appointment, request a refill or request an in-person urgent care appointment for that day.

We’re All Human — a Mental Health Awareness Campaign We’re All Human is a University-wide mental health awareness campaign that explores ways to make counseling and mental health services more accessible. It also addresses mental health, sexual climate, inclusiveness, isolation and belonging. Learn more about the campaign, its resources and support services available to students, faculty and staff.

The Center for Wellness and Health Promotion (CWHP) The CWHP works to cultivate a happy, healthy and engaged Harvard community through education and the promotion of holistic health and wellbeing. Students can participate in a wide range of offerings including workshops that highlight activities to enhance wellbeing such as massage and acupuncture services, yoga, meditation, Pilates and other group classes.

The CWHP offers:

  • Massage and acupuncture appointments at discounted rates for Harvard students
  • Movement based classes, including yoga inspired, tai-chi, pilates, etc.
  • Mindfulness and meditation classes
  • Workshops and presentations on topics including sleep, sexual health, holistic wellbeing, alcohol and other substance use and more.