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Harvard Launches Health Initiative

Harvard wants you to know that it cares.

In the wake of student complaints about the University's mental health resources, Harvard kicked off a multifaceted mental health initiative this week, featuring workshops and discussion groups for students, staff and Faculty members.

Featured are 10 days of workshops--one will be held at each Harvard House--that will attempt to give practical information to students about stress, sleep, relationships and nutrition.

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After a University Health Service (UHS) survey last year found that Harvard students were dissatisfied with mental health resources available to them, the provost's office was motivated to prepare a comprehensive report on mental health resources at Harvard.

"Part of the recommendation of that report was that we do more outreach, and help students recognize what's going on and how they can get help," said Marsha H. Semuels, the assistant provost in charge of the mental health outreach program. "We're discussing the necessity of everyday help."

Semuels said the program is unusual because it brings together the many different groups that deal with mental health issues on campus. The survey found that many students did not know where to go with their mental health concerns.

Semuels called the program "the most concerted efforts of the University where everyone, faculty, students and staff are working together on this particular theme."

"[This is the] first time that all people who interacted with students are all in the same room--dining hall staff, admissions, everyone," she said. "The Business School invited custodians to their workshop. If everything goes as planned, it will be wonderful."

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