University of Richmond Receives National Award for Excellence in Mental Health and Well-Being

UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND — The University of Richmond has received the 2025 Excellence in Mental Health and Well-Being Award from Insight Into Academia magazine.

The award recognizes colleges and universities that demonstrate a strong commitment to fostering a culture of mental wellness and well-being for their students, faculty, and staff.

The University of Richmond approaches student well-being holistically recognizing the intersection of physical, mental, social, and emotional health. The Health and Well-being Unit includes Counseling and Psychological Services, Recreation, Student Health, Health Promotion, and Disability Services in a central location on campus.

“Our goal is to ensure that our students have easy access to our resources to best meet their needs,” said Aesha L. Uqdah, associate vice president of health & well-being. “The many features, programs, and services we offer touch on several dimensions of wellness and make the Well-Being Center a sought-after destination on our campus.”

The WELL 100 program — Introduction to College Life at the University of Richmond — is a signature, required course for all incoming students that enhances the first-year experience and gives all students a stronger start to their Richmond education. A key focus of the course is building community, which includes health and well-being topics.

A variety of health and well-being programming is also available to faculty and staff through dedicated Human Resources efforts and a variety of campus partners. Through the URWELL Employee program, full-time employees have access to wellness coaching and fitness assessments. Employees also receive support through the Employee Assistance Program, including access to a part-time on-site counselor, and complimentary access to the Weinstein Center for Recreation.  

“The University of Richmond embeds well-being and mental health support into every aspect of our campus community, including academics, athletics, student life, and the staff and faculty experience,” said Monica M. Smith, vice president for inclusion and belonging. “Dedicated professionals across the University are committed to these efforts, and it’s a true shared leadership model of support.”

University of Richmond will be featured with other recipients in the September 2025 issue of Insight Into Academia magazine.

“We know that institutions are not always recognized for their dedication to their mental health and well-being services and support for their students and employees,” says Lenore Pearlstein, owner and publisher of Insight Into Academia magazine. “We are proud to honor these colleges and universities as role models for other institutions of higher education.”

This award is the latest recognition for UR’s commitment to mental health and well-being. The Princeton Review ranked the University of Richmond No. 1 for Best Student Support and Counseling Services in its 2025 edition of The Best 390 Colleges guide. Richmond also received a gold-level award from Exercise is Medicine® for its efforts to foster health and well-being for students and employees.

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