Dedication to Wellness

For years, national rates of mental illness among college students have been steadily increasing, reaching what some consider crisis-level proportions. In a 2021 survey by the Healthy Minds Network, nearly half of students screened positive for clinically significant symptoms of depression, anxiety, or both.

The University of Richmond aims to combat this crisis in the Spider community through UR Well, a holistic and integrated approach to creating a thriving culture of well-being on campus. A key aspect of this initiative is the Well-Being Center, a comprehensive facility that includes all campus health care in one location, providing easy access for students and a calming space for all to enjoy.

The idea for the center came about in 2017: the space would bring campus service providers together under one roof to share resources and expertise around mental health. To reflect an “upstream” approach to well-being, the center would provide programs and activities that are associated with healthful decision making and prevention.

Plans for the $20 million building kicked off in April 2018 with generous support from University trustees, alumni, parents, and friends. Opened in 2021, the Well-Being Center houses the Student Health Center and Counseling and Psychological Services, as well as health promotion and nutrition services. It has a meditation garden, labyrinth, salt spa, and relaxation area with massage chairs and sleep pods. The Organic Krush Café offers healthy food options and has a demonstration kitchen where classes are held to teach participants how to prepare nutritious dishes.

Makayla Callender, ’22, spoke about her personal experience with health and well-being at an event held in October 2021 to celebrate the opening of the Well-Being Center. In her speech, she bravely shared her own struggles with different facets of her mental health. “I have mainly struggled with an eating disorder, for which I’ve received help here on campus,” she said. “I’m also a very involved student, so it can be hard to juggle the number of things I have to do. But I’ve become empowered to speak up about my struggles to normalize these conversations.”

Callender leveraged her passion for health and wellness by serving as a student instructor of WELL 100, an introductory course to fostering personal wellness that is required for all undergraduate students. “The classes were held on the second floor of the Weinstein Center for Recreation,” she said. “We talked about all of the facets of well-being and the resources we have on campus. We also gave students a tour of the Well-Being Center so they knew about the building." 

A chemistry graduate who aspires to be a physical therapist, Callender said the opening of the Well-Being Center is a blessing to the Spider community, as it offers students, faculty, and staff a place to unwind and reduce stress. While still at the University, she said her favorite way to relax was listening to podcasts while sitting quietly in the meditation garden.

“Coming to college is such a huge transition period,” she said. “Your mental and emotional health can decline if you’re not careful. The Well-Being Center places all of the qualities of wellness into one space and introduces them to students early on so they learn what it means to be a healthy person.”

Here are recent highlights demonstrating the success of the Well-Being Center since its opening:

Counseling and Psychological Services

• Clinical capacity in Counseling and Psychology Services (CAPS) increased by 40% and Student Health Center (SHC) by 60%
• Expanded hours to address the record number of students seeking care in 2021-22
• CAPS Training Program saw the largest cohort of trainees in 2021-22, which allows for increased clinical hours, expanded services, and adds more diversity to staff

Demonstration Kitchen

• 250 students and 140 faculty and staff participated in various offerings
• Classes were held three times a week, the most popular being Cooking Basics
• Monthly nutrition education events highlighted relevant topics for students such as: nutrition and immunity, food and mood, and how to build a balanced plate
• Special events were held including a coffee tasting, Valentine’s Day Friend dinner, and unique demonstrations by guest chefs 

Awards & Recognition 

• 2022 Loyal E. Horton Dining Grand Prize — Organic Krush
• 2021 Cigna Culture and Well-Being Award
• 2020 Active Minds Healthy Campus Award