A set of principles focused on holistic solutions, collaboration, assessment, and inclusion guides the Well-Being and Mental Health Campus Collaborative as we pursue our charge.

Use whole-system approaches that embed well-being into the campus ecosystem and are focused on the whole person.

  • Incorporate social determinants of health and basic needs
  • Recognize the interconnectedness between health and sustainability
  • Assess how our policies support well-being as part of the campus ecosystem
  • Embrace, create, and sustain health and well-being for all
  • The whole-person approach includes the entire continuum of individual perspective to the environmental perspective

Ensure a comprehensive and campus-wide approach engaging with varied stakeholders from the campus community that include different groups of students, faculty, and staff.

  • Use a participatory approach and seek involvement in the process
  • Use various data sources to inform large, collaborative campus goals
  • Focus on campus and community strengths as the foundation for collaboration

Develop relationships and cross-sector partnerships through collaboration and engagement.

  • Identify areas of opportunity across all populations
  • Identify external partnerships and relationships that foster an ecosystem that supports well-being.

Promote research, innovation, and evidence-informed action to help guide the work of the collaborative.

  • Advance research for health and well-being knowledge and action that advances multidisciplinary research agendas.
  • Ensure teaching, training, learning, and knowledge exchange will benefit the future well-being of our communities.

Build on the strengths of the UI community in developing campus well-being strategies and goals.

  • Research and innovation
  • Learning
  • Service excellence
  • Well-being expertise across the continuum
  • Collaboration and relationships
  • Community of caring

Value the entirety of the campus community.

  • Ensure that all voices are represented, respected, and heard
  • Understand and respect the wide range of perspectives, experiences, and viewpoints
  • Contribute to a productive and welcoming campus culture

Demonstrate progress on campus well-being and mental health.

  • Create measurable goals and action plans
  • Assess progress on an ongoing basis
  • Provide transparent and regular communication to the campus community on actions and progress
  • Celebrate successes
  • Share lessons learned

Behaviors that support the guiding principles:

  • Demonstrating empathy, compassion, and care
  • Intentional in language and consistent/authentic messaging
  • Advocacy
  • Acting with integrity
  • Encourage risk-taking and innovation while providing support