Active Minds, Inc. Names Healthiest College Campuses in the U.S.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Research shows that health and well-being are essential for student engagement, retention and success (Source). As such, student health is integral to the core mission of colleges and universities.

Active Minds, Inc. announced today the five winners of this year's Active Minds Healthy Campus Award, which recognizes and celebrates U.S. colleges and universities that are prioritizing health and demonstrating innovation and excellence in promoting the well-being of their students. The winning schools are: Cornell University, University of Minnesota, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University of Texas at Austin, and Western Washington University. Connecticut College and Jefferson College received honorable mentions.

The winning schools are all championing student voices, creating equal opportunity for health, are data-informed and driven, and are strategically and sustainably investing in student health for the long-term through a number of public health initiatives, including: sexual assault prevention and bystander intervention training; suicide prevention and means restriction campaigns; smoke-free campus policies; sexual health education; integration of health services; expansion of healthy eating and wellness options; and much more.

"The Active Minds Healthy Campus Award winners are leading some of the nation's most innovative efforts to create healthy college communities," said Alison Malmon, founder and executive director of Active Minds. "These schools are inspiring examples of what is possible when students, staff, faculty and administrators from across an entire university work together so that every student has the opportunity to thrive."

The award winners show that improving the health of a campus requires systematic efforts, powerful partnerships and students at the forefront, such as: 

• The "Let's Talk" campaign at Cornell University sends mental health counselors to popular student venues around campus to offer students informal opportunities to speak with clinicians. By meeting students where they are, the campaign decreases barriers to services and encourages help-seeking behaviors.
• The University of Minnesota's Provost's Committee on Student Mental Health promotes mental health awareness and represents more than 20 offices, including staff, faculty and students. This is one example of institutional-wide collaboration in the name of health and wellness.
• The University of North Carolina at Greensboro invests in student health and wellness services – even in the midst of tight budgets – through a new $91 million student recreation center, the largest facility ever built by the university.
• The "BeVocal" bystander intervention campaign at the University of Texas at Austin trains students across the campus in how to effectively and safely intervene in potentially dangerous situations.
• The "Best Self" campaign at Western Washington University, a campus-wide, evidence-based training program, increases resiliency and well-being among all members of the university community – including students, staff and administrators.  

"Colleges and universities have a powerful opportunity to shape the behaviors of a young adult's life," said Sara Abelson, Vice President for Student Health and Wellness at Active Minds. "Campuses should be taking a comprehensive public health approach to student wellness that includes outreach, education, and prevention. Excellence and innovation in campus health leads to healthier and more successful students in the short term, and a healthier society in the long term. That's what the Healthy Campus Award celebrates." 

The 2015 Active Minds Healthy Campus Award has been generously supported by the Margaret Clark Morgan Foundation. Learn more about the Healthy Campus Award at www.ActiveMinds.org/Award.

About Active Minds   
Active Minds is the leading national nonprofit organization that engages students to change the conversation about mental health. The nonprofit is changing the culture on campuses and in the community by providing information, leadership opportunities and advocacy training to the next generation. Through a rapidly growing network of hundreds of student-led chapters at colleges, universities and high schools, Active Minds increases students' awareness of mental health issues, provides resources regarding mental health and mental illness, and encourages students to seek help as soon as it is needed. Active Minds is headquartered in Washington, D.C. and has chapters in nearly every state of the US. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @Active_Minds. For more information visit www.ActiveMinds.org

SOURCE Active Minds, Inc.