MIT Just Made a SHOCKING Move in Mental Health – Find Out Why Everyone's Talking!

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has consistently ranked as one of the premier institutions of higher education globally, recognized by publications such as U.S. News & World Report, QS World University Rankings, and Forbes. Recently, it has added another accolade to its list of achievements: being named to the Princeton Review’s 2026 Mental Health Services Honor Roll. This recognition places MIT among just 30 colleges and universities out of hundreds considered for exemplary mental health and well-being services for students, marking the second consecutive year the institution has received this honor.

The Princeton Review created the honor roll as a resource for both current and prospective students who may be seeking mental health services when selecting a college. The evaluation involved a detailed survey with over a dozen questions assessing various factors including training for students, faculty, and staff; policy provisions; peer-to-peer support; available screenings and referral services; and mental health resources in residence halls.

Notably, the 2025 survey results across all participating institutions show significant growth in campus counseling, wellness, and student support programs, with double-digit increases reported compared to the 2024 results. For MIT, earning a place on this prestigious honor roll underscores its commitment to providing exceptional services for both graduate and undergraduate students.

According to Karen Singleton, deputy chief health officer and chief of mental health and counseling services at MIT Health, “This honor highlights the hard work and collaboration that we do here at MIT to support students in their well-being journey. This is a recognition of how we are doing those things effectively, and a recognition of MIT’s investment in these support services.”

MIT Health operates with a team of 36 clinicians dedicated to addressing the community's needs. Recently, they implemented an online scheduling system that was introduced in response to student requests, making it easier for students to access mental health services.

The mental health and well-being initiatives are coordinated by several departments within the Division of Student Life (DSL), which collaborates closely with MIT Health and other partners across the institution, including the Division of Graduate and Undergraduate Education. This collaboration aims to provide the best possible services and achieve optimal outcomes for students.

These support resources are highly valued by students; for instance, 82 percent of the Class of 2025 had utilized Student Support Services (S3) at least once by the time they graduated. In a satisfaction survey, a striking 91 percent of students who accessed S3 reported they would return if needed.

“Student Support Services supports over 80 percent of all undergraduates by the time they graduate, and over 60 percent each year. Our offices, including ORSEL, GradSupport, S3, SMHC, the CARE Team, and Residential and Community Life work incredibly well together to support our students,” stated Kate McCarthy, senior associate dean of support, well-being, and belonging.

David Randall, dean of student life, emphasized the collaborative nature of MIT's support system, saying, “The magic in our support system is the deeply collaborative nature of it. There are many different places students can enter the support network, and each of these teams works closely together to ensure students get connected to the help they need. We always say that students shouldn’t think too much about where they turn… if they get to one of us, they get to all of us.”

In a further acknowledgment of this achievement, Suzy Nelson, Vice Chancellor for the Division of Student Life, expressed, “It is an honor to see MIT included among colleges and universities recognized for excellent mental health services. Promoting student well-being is central to our mission and guides so much of what we do. This recognition reflects the work of many in our community who are dedicated to creating a campus environment where students can thrive academically and personally.”

The recognition by the Princeton Review is not just a badge of honor for MIT but also a reflection of a growing awareness about the importance of mental health services in higher education. As institutions across the country continue to grapple with challenges related to student well-being, MIT’s commitment to mental health represents a proactive approach that many other schools may look to emulate.