Health and Wellness
Your well-being is our priority. This page provides essential resources to ensure your safety, health, and overall well-being during your time at Harvard. Whether you need support for personal safety, access to health services, or guidance on maintaining a balanced lifestyle, you’ll find tools and contacts here to help you navigate challenges and thrive. Explore the sections below to connect with resources tailored to your needs.
The Center for Wellness and Health Promotion cultivates individual and collective wellbeing through holistic educational experiences. The center offers a wide range of workshops, services, and classes available to all Harvard community members.
Programs to support holistic wellbeing:
- Massage and acupuncture
- Yoga
- Pilates
- Mindfulness and meditation
- Workshops on sleep, sexual health, and more
Harvard Chaplains are available to offer religious, spiritual, and moral support for all members of the university community. Visit the Chaplains Office resource website to learn more.
The HSDM Student Health & Wellness Committee is dedicated to promoting the mental and physical well-being of all HSDM students and fostering a supportive and high-quality student life experience. By focusing on the holistic health of the student body, the committee aims to cultivate an environment that prioritizes both academic and personal success. By working together, the Committee aims to nurture a school community where well-being is prioritized, and all students can feel supported in achieving their fullest potential. The Committee is comprised of representatives and key stakeholders across the institution including the Dean’s Office, the Office of Dental Education, the Office for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging, the Office of Research, faculty representation, and predominantly student representation. Student representatives are elected by their classmates during their annual election cycle to serve on this committee.
Goals and functions:
- Promote a healthy and humanistic environment: Take a proactive approach to enhance the overall well-being of the HSDM community by fostering an environment that supports students' mental, physical, and emotional health.
- Provide a platform for student concerns: Offer a safe space for students to express concerns related to student morale, health, and wellness, addressing these issues in a timely and constructive manner.
- Identify stressful periods and transitions: Recognize and address high-stress times, transitions, and challenges faced by students, ensuring that support is available during critical moments in the academic year.
- Wellness programming: Develop and implement wellness programs and initiatives designed to help students maintain a healthy work-life balance, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being.
- Inform students about resources: Increase awareness and accessibility of health and wellness resources available to HSDM students, ensuring they have the tools they need to thrive both academically and personally.
A support service that works collaboratively with students and Harvard University partners to support their mental health and adjustment throughout their academic career. CAMHS clinicians and staff provide support that enables students form all backgrounds to navigate their challenges and achieve their full potential. All visits are confidential. Mental health records are held separately from the rest of the medical records, except for information on medications. Counseling and mental health services are available in the Longwood Medical Area and are also offered at satellite health clinics on the Harvard Law School and main Harvard campuses.
Visit CAMHS for more information.
CAMHS Cares Line
Urgent care is available throughout the day, and the CAMHS Cares Support Line (617) 495-2042) is available 24/7.
TimelyCare
TimelyCare is a virtual health and wellbeing platform for Harvard Students to find providers who can offer support for a wide range of common concerns, including scheduled counseling, psychiatry, and self-care content.
Visit TimelyCare for more information or download the app to access care and other resources.
The HSDM Crimson Folder provides resources for faculty and staff to support students.
Harvard University Health Services (HUHS)
Comprehensive care, including primary care, mental health, and urgent care:
- Smith Campus Center: 24-hour urgent care available.
- Longwood Clinic: Located at Vanderbilt Hall, 617-432-1370.
Visit HUHS for more information.
After-Hours Nurse Advice Line: 617-495-5711
Learn what qualifies as hazing, how to report it, and what protections and support are available.
Visit the Hazing Prevention at Harvard website to learn more.
The Harvard Ombuds Office is a confidential resource available to anyone from the Harvard community, including faculty, trainees, staff, students and those with a Harvard appointment at an affiliate institution. A discussion with an Ombuds can help a visitor voice concerns, clarify goals and consider options so that they can make their own best decisions about next steps in addressing their concerns. Any issue affecting one’s work or studies may be brought to an Ombuds.
- Visit the Harvard Ombuds Office in Longwood for more information.
Safety and emergency response
Harvard University Police Department (HUPD)
- Report crime or suspicious activity.
- Urgent: 617-495-1212 | Longwood: 617-432-1212
- Online contact form
- Learn about theft prevention and register your personal belongings like laptops and bicycles.
MessageMe: Emergency Alerts
- Stay informed during emergencies with text, voice, or email notifications. Enroll here.
Walking Escort Service
- Available 24/7 on the Longwood Campus. Call 617-432-1379 to request an escort to local parking lots, buildings, or T stops.
Confidential support services
SHARE Counselors
- Sexual Harassment/Assault Resources Education (SHARE) Counselors provide a range of confidential and privileged services to support individual and community healing from harm, as well as prevention education initiatives designed for Harvard students, faculty, staff, and post-doctoral students. Examples of confidential services provided by SHARE Counselors include:
- Trauma-informed counseling
- Education and support groups
- 24-hour crisis hotline (617) 495-9100
- Community referrals
- Advocacy
- Visit SHARE for more information.
- Sexual Harassment/Assault Resources Education (SHARE) Counselors provide a range of confidential and privileged services to support individual and community healing from harm, as well as prevention education initiatives designed for Harvard students, faculty, staff, and post-doctoral students. Examples of confidential services provided by SHARE Counselors include:
Report Sexual or Gender-Based Harassment
Contact your local Title IX Resource Coordinator:
- Students: Carrie Sylven (Email | 617-432-4245)
- Staff: Susan Moore (Email | 617-432-2625)
- Faculty: Keri Godin (Email | 617-432-2096)
- University Coordinator: Nicole Merhill (Email | 617-496-2470)
Confidential Support: SHARE offers a 24/7 hotline at 617-495-9100.
Anonymously Disclose: Submit concerns via the Title IX online form.
Learn more about policies, procedures, and resources at the Office for Gender Equity.
Student wellbeing and mental health
Intellectual growth and academic achievement should be supported by a strong foundation of mental health and wellbeing. Harvard strives to foster a culture that embraces the importance of balance and resilience.
Committee on Student Health and Wellness
A committee dedicated to promoting mental and physical health through student-led initiatives and wellness programming.
