The office of student wellness: innovating to improve student mental health

Abstract

Objective: Despite increasing mental health needs among medical students, few models for effective preventive student wellness programs exist.

Methods: This paper describes a novel approach developed at the University of California (UC) Davis School of Medicine: the Office of Student Wellness (OSW).

Results: Improved access and mental health service utilization have been documented, with over half of all students receiving support and clinical care. UC Davis student satisfaction mean scores on the Association of American Medical Colleges Graduation Questionnaire wellness questions have reached or exceeded national average over the last 4 years, since the OSW was founded.

Conclusions: This program may serve as a blueprint for other medical schools in developing effective student wellness programs.