Continuing a series of updates on Dartmouth’s review of campus mental health and well-being, Provost David Kotz ’86 is highlighting an assessment by the JED Foundation. The comprehensive assessment included self-studies, surveys, and site visits to review campus programs, policies, and practices.

In an April 27 email to the campus community, Kotz notes both the strengths and recommendations identified by the JED Campus program—which he calls “a key component” of Dartmouth’s overall review process—and summarizes the next steps. In summer 2021, Dartmouth began working with the nonprofit JED Foundation on a four-year partnership to improve mental health on campus.

The areas of strength include stakeholder engagement, life skills development opportunities for undergraduates, social connectedness, and health services such as the inpatient nursing department and 24-hour on-call crisis counseling line. 

JED’s recommendations include taking a strategic approach to addressing mental health and well-being, improving life-skill development opportunities for graduate and professional students, and cultivating more social opportunities beyond Greek life.

Kotz says that Dartmouth has already made progress on several recommendations, such as changing its policy addressing time away for medical reasons and contracting with the mental health provider Uwill to provide teletherapy services.

More information about the identified strengths and recommendations, and actions Dartmouth has taken since the JED assessment, is available at JED Campus Findings.