U of A’s innovative way to tackle student mental health

The University of Arizona partners with Art Pharmacy to offer arts-based mental health support for students, starting in fall 2025.

In a groundbreaking initiative to combat rising mental health challenges among college students, the University of Arizona is set to launch an innovative arts-based wellness program in fall 2025. Through a pioneering partnership with Art Pharmacy, students will receive personalized “prescriptions” for arts and cultural experiences, offering a creative alternative to traditional mental health support.

The facade of Centennial Hall at the University of Arizona. (cmh2315fl/Flickr)

A new approach to student mental wellness

The program represents a unique collaboration between Arizona Arts, the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine, Student Affairs, Campus Health, and Student Success and Retention Innovation. Students referred by U of A Counseling and Psych Services will work with care navigators to develop customized arts experiences based on their individual needs and interests.

Andy Schulz, vice president of the arts and dean of the College of Fine Arts, explains to Arizona News, “The arts promote human flourishing. They help us express and understand the human experience, which is a fundamental need. There is strong research that shows the arts can reduce isolation, increase belonging and build community.”

How the program works

Once referred, students will receive personalized “doses” of arts and cultural activities, which may include workshop participation, classes, or performance attendance. The program removes financial barriers by covering all costs, including tickets and transportation, for both the student and a guest.

The university has partnered with various campus organizations to provide diverse experience options, including Arizona Arts Live, the University of Arizona Museum of Art, and the Poetry Center, along with local Tucson arts venues.

Proven success and support

The initiative builds on Art Pharmacy’s successful partnership with Stanford University, where 84% of referred students participated in events and 80% reported improved mental health outcomes. The three-year pilot program at U of A is fully funded by supporters and prominent donors.

One such donor, nutritionist Peggy Goulding, shared, “Helping young people deal with the many mental health issues in today’s world is of paramount importance to me. Based on my experience in health care and my appreciation of the healing power of the arts, I believe this program will be beneficial to the students at the University of Arizona.”

Chris Appleton, Art Pharmacy’s founder and CEO, emphasizes the program’s timeliness: “The social prescribing movement is growing throughout our country as anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation rates on college campuses are at an all-time high. Introducing non-stigmatized, readily available mental health interventions is critical for institutional partnerships looking to implement and scale social prescribing.”

A professor shows a student how to paint. (Getty Images/Unsplash)

A creative path to student wellness

This pioneering wellness initiative at the University of Arizona represents a fresh approach to addressing student mental health challenges through creative engagement rather than traditional treatment models. By removing financial barriers and connecting students with personalized cultural experiences, the program aims to foster community connection and emotional well-being, potentially transforming how universities nationwide approach mental health support for future generations.

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

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