The Healthy Minds Survey provides important data on the intersection of mental health and student success. The goal of this survey is to improve the climate around mental health by better understanding students’ needs and the issues that impact them. The survey is administered on campus every three years.
For more information about the Healthy Minds Survey, email uhs@uhs.wisc.edu. If you would like to request a campus presentation, please submit a presentation request form.
2025 Healthy Minds Survey
February 17 – March 24
Check your email for an invitation to participate.
Past Survey Results
Key findings from the 2022 Healthy Minds Survey
- Students are experiencing substantial and varied mental health concerns.
- Over half of UW-Madison undergraduates drink at high-risk levels. White students binge drink at a rate 50% higher than students of color.
- Over 4 in 5 students report that emotional or mental difficulties hurt their academic performance.
- Students are accessing mental health help.
View an executive summary of UW–Madison’s results from the 2022 Healthy Minds Survey, as well as current interventions and next steps for addressing student mental health holistically.
Healthy Minds Survey – 2022 Executive Summary Report
Frequently Asked Questions
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Who is invited to take the survey?
A sample of students at the University of Wisconsin–Madison will receive an invitation to complete this survey.
What will the University of Wisconsin-Madison do with the results?
The results will be used to better understand the mental health climate at the University of Wisconsin–Madison as well as growing needs and service utilization. This information will be used to make recommendations for changes to the policies and procedures related to mental health and well-being at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
What will I be asked to do?
This survey asks about your mental health, sleep habits, alcohol consumption, experiences with sexual assault, and other topics. All responses are confidential.
Am I required to participate?
You do NOT have to participate in this survey. If you do participate, you may skip any question you are not comfortable answering and may exit the survey at any time.
What do I get for participating?
Students who complete the survey will be entered into a drawing; 400 students will receive $10 on their Wiscard, and 10 students will receive $200 on their Wiscard.
How will you handle cases where students screen positive for mental health issues?
At the end of the survey, all respondents will receive a list of local mental health resources. Students who indicate suicidal thoughts in the recent past or screen positively for a mental health condition (e.g., depression or anxiety) will also be presented with tailored resources and a special note emphasizing the importance of getting in touch with one of the listed resources.
Why take the survey?
The goal of this survey is to improve the climate around mental health at UW–Madison by better understanding students’ needs and the issues that impact them.
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Who is administering the survey?
Healthy Minds Study is maintained under Advarra, a provider of IRB services in North America.
Who will the email about the Healthy Minds Study come from?
Jake Baggott, the Executive Director of University Health Services, is the signatory on the recruitment email. The email sender will appear as “University Health Services,” and the sender address will be healthyminds-UW-Madison@umich.edu.
Why are you asking about these sensitive topics?
Our goal is to foster a safe and supportive environment where students can flourish, both academically and personally. To understand the climate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, we need to ask direct questions about topics that some may find sensitive. It is only by directly collecting this information from you that we will be able to prevent negative experiences and effectively respond when they do happen.
Why does the survey ask about sexual assault and sexual harassment?
UW-Madison previously collected data about students’ experiences with sexual violence in 2015 and 2019 through the AAU Climate Survey on Sexual Assault & Sexual Misconduct. Since we no longer participate in that survey, asking some similar questions will allow us to follow up on our data collection to better understand the current scope of sexual violence on our campus.
What if I need mental health services right now?
If you are in immediate need of mental health support, call our 24-hour crisis line at 608-265-5600 (option 9). UHS offers a variety of mental health services for UW-Madison students. Visit our mental health website to learn more.
Where can I go to get more information about the national Healthy Minds Study led by the University of Michigan?
Visit the Healthy Minds Network webpage to learn more.