School of Medicine MEDWell Checks

MedWell checks are an outreach program co-sponsored by the School of Medicine (SOM) and Mental Health Services (MHS) to provide an opportunity for every first-year medical student to meet with a MHS clinician for a brief conversation about mental health.

Medical school is an exciting but challenging endeavor. Medical students have reported experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety, burnout, substance use, and suicidal thoughts[1]. This is in part related to the inherently stressful nature of this learning environment; evidence also suggests that some students experience barriers, such as stigma or time limitations, while seeking mental health support.[2] SOM and MHS are committed to taking an active approach in connecting students to opportunities for care and fostering an inclusive, understanding environment.

MedWell checks are brief assessments of mental health that do not include psychiatric diagnoses or treatment plans. A universal outreach initiative, these appointments are not considered mental health psychotherapy or treatment. However, should you and the provider agree that a direct referral to enter mental health treatment is appropriate, we have the option to convert this outreach meeting into an encounter that establishes you as a client.

Additional information about the MedWell program can be found on the MHS MedWell Student Information Sheet.

The MedWell program has closed for fall 2024. If you have feedback about MedWell, please complete this survey. We are interested in learning about students’ experience and thoughts about the program.

[1] Rotenstein LS, Ramos MA, Torre M, et al. Prevalence of Depression, Depressive Symptoms, and Suicidal Ideation Among Medical Students: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. JAMA. 2016;316(21):2214–2236. doi:10.1001/jama.2016.17324

[2] Hankir AK, Northall A, Zaman R. Stigma and mental health challenges in medical students. BMJ Case Rep. 2014 Sep 2;2014:bcr2014205226. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2014-205226. PMID: 25183806; PMCID: PMC4158203.