Well-Being Programs
We provide a broad range of programs throughout the year to support medical student wellness. Many of our programs are connected with the academic curriculum, and we collaborate with other wellness groups on the UCSF campus.
In addition to providing free, confidential psychotherapy for individuals and couples, psychiatric evaluation and management to medical students, the Student Wellbeing Program offers the following programs designed to support students’ well-being and facilitate students’ adjustments to the physical and emotional demands of medical school. Students are informed about the program through presentations at student orientations, the Medical Student Well-Being Program website, lectures, email announcements and postings in the Student Lounge.
Below are a few of the programs we offer. We are always open to new ideas and welcome any suggestions.
Kevin Mack Boards Support Dinner
The Annual Kevin Mack Board Support Dinner is a Kevin Mack tradition that we are adopting from the JMP program. First year MS host and prepare food for those MS2s, thus assisting their senior peers during difficult study time and have to opportunity to give back to those who supported and cared for them as they entered medical school. Dr. Mack was a beloved teacher and mentor at the school of medicine who tragically lost his life in an accident. He tirelessly promoted student well being, was attentive to their needs and dedicated to making medical education positive growing experience. He was one of the founders of the JMP program and started this tradition to support the students studying for STEP 1 MLE.
Suffering in Silence and Mental Health Among Us
MWSBP assists student who organize and lead two separate sessions dedicated to MH issues among medical students by working with presenters and facilitators in addressing the needs of each group by focusing on how to present personal information in professional setting and providing training to the peer group facilitators.
CODA Intern panel "Surviving and Thriving in Internship"
MSWBP organizes and facilitates a discussion with a group of interns who talk to graduating class about how to cope with difficulties of intern year with a focus of self care and wellness.
Well-Being Rounds
We meet with third-year medical students in the hospital while they are on rotations. Our staff leads discussions for one hour during Surgery, Medicine, Ob/Gyn, and PISCES. We address the joys and stressors of clinical rotations. Our goal is to acknowledge the inherent challenges of clinical rotations, the impact on your personal life and health, being exposed to human suffering, the vulnerability of constant evaluation, and the valuable support of your peers.
Partners in Medicine
We host a welcoming dinner for new first-year students and their partners. Seniors students and their partners join us to welcome the new students. This event builds community among the incoming class and their significant others, addresses the worries about the impact of medical school on partnerships, and emphasizes the value of being in a relationship. In the spring, we host another event for medical students and their partners. A few other events that have been held in the past include a seminar with a couples therapist, a discussion with an expert on marriages between two professionals, and social events.
Well-Being Linked Sessions
During the first-year curriculum, we host lunchtime workshops to promote student wellness. These sessions are linked with lecture topics in the curriculum. We introduce students to resources on campus and healthy living styles that connect with what they are learning. Some of the workshops we run are on mindfulness meditation, yoga, emotional empowerment, cognitive behavioral therapy, suicide discussion, substance abuse, and coping with death and dying.
