"We know that institutions are not always recognized for their dedication to mental health and well-being services for students and employees," said Lenore Pearlstein, publisher of Insight Into Academia. "We are proud to honor these colleges and universities as role models in higher education."

Miami is one of just 70 institutions featured in the magazine's upcoming September issue for its outstanding integration of accessible services, peer support, emotional resilience, and proactive policy into campus life.

"At Miami, our collective efforts to prioritize mental health and well-being are rooted in our belief that people come first," said Steve Large, assistant vice president for health and wellness for student life.

Through a growing number of collaborative initiatives in recent years, Miami has worked to improve mental health support for its entire campus community. A key effort involved the formation of a presidentially-sponsored Mental Health Task Force in 2022-23. Since then, a permanent Miami Mental Health Committee has led implementation of 56 high-impact recommendations, fundamentally reshaping Miami’s mental health infrastructure.

These efforts included creating a comprehensive university-wide mental health and well-being website featuring a wellness navigator and a filterable database of more than 125 support services and resources.

Miami has also expanded clinical staffing and resources, made possible through a student mental health fee and donor-funded initiatives, adding five full-time clinicians, enhanced crisis response services, and 24/7 resources such as the H.O.P.E. Line and Crisis Text Line.

The university has also introduced a range of innovative programs, including wellness studios, therapy dogs, horse therapy, and a sports psychologist dedicated to supporting student athletes. Peer-led education and outreach now play a central role in campus life, backed by staff devoted specifically to emotional well-being and mental health promotion.

Faculty members have participated in training programs such as QPR, Mental Health First Aid, and Mental Health Ally, strengthening their ability to support students in and out of the classroom. Miami's data-informed approach is reflected in its use of annual campuswide surveys and key performance indicators to guide strategy and improve access to care.

In addition, Miami emphasizes parent and family involvement by offering expert-led videos that explore mental health topics from a caregiver's perspective.

Together, these initiatives demonstrate Miami’s commitment to building a campus culture where mental health is a shared responsibility. 

"This national recognition is not about any one program or department. It's about a community-wide culture that values care, connection, and proactive support," Large said. “We’re honored to be recognized for the work we’re doing together.”

Miami's approach balances cultural change, systemic improvements, and service expansion. It’s a model the university hopes will inspire similar efforts at institutions nationwide.

To learn more about mental health and wellness resources at Miami University, visit WellBeing.MiamiOH.edu.