If you find yourself needing guidance or support, we encourage you to make an appointment with Student Support @ ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø.
The Harvard Kennedy School experience is incredibly rewarding. It can also be rigorous and demanding. Along the way, you may find some support can help keep you on track.
Trained as a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, focuses on supporting our students in their academic, personal, and mental wellbeing so they can continue to be successful during their time at ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø. If students are experiencing difficulties, Jimmy will connect them with individuals and resources on campus or in the community that will help get them the support they need. He will also follow up and work with students when someone in the ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø community has expressed concern for their wellbeing.
Mental Health
includes short-term individual counseling, psychiatric care, support/therapy groups, and psychoeducational workshops. All services are free and confidential. In order to connect with CAMHS for brief therapy or secure a psychiatric provider for your medication, you are strongly encouraged to schedule an initial 20-minute phone consultation by calling 617-495-2042 or through the as soon as possible. Wait times for an initial consultation may increase as the semester progresses.
is a 24/7 support line for students who are experiencing any distress/have mental health concerns. Speak with a CAMHS Cares Counselor any time by calling 617-495-2042 (this number is located on the back of your Harvard ID).
Harvard students have access to virtual care services with at no cost, including 12 therapy visits, unlimited coaching, self-care content, TALK Now, and community forum.
Students looking to secure a long-term therapist or psychiatrist can utilize , Harvard's referral database, for providers in the community that accept their insurance. Students on the student health insurance plan (Blue Cross Blue Shield) need to make sure while on ThrivingCampus that the list of providers is correctly filtered to BCBS under insurances.
, Harvard students with the student health insurance plan (BCBS) have $0 co-pays for the first 8 sessions and then $35 co-pays after that. Students have coverage until July 31st each year. There is no limit on the number of sessions. Two-year students will have another set of free sessions starting August 1, 2026 (the insurance plan for the following year).
Learn more about .
The ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø promotes mental health and wellness amongst the ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø student body through campus campaigns, workshops, support groups, and shared resources.
The Kennedy PhD Student Association’s Mental Health Committee makes sure students are aware of mental health resources at and outside of Harvard and hosts wellness events. They also conduct the annual PhD student survey. Current lead is Aditi Bhowmick.
ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø students can learn how to prioritize and support wellbeing, seek care when needed, and help others in need through the (HarvardKey required).
is an eLearning course for faculty and staff to provide them with increased knowledge and awareness about student mental health and wellbeing. It also provides information on skills, tools, and resources to support students experiencing emotional distress. This is a highly interactive role-play module!
Medical/Wellness
is a multi-specialty medical practice exclusively for members of the Harvard community.
- > Call them at 617-495-5711 before walking into HUHS.
- > Communicate with your providers, review information that is available in your medical record, and schedule available appointments.
- > Familiarize yourself with plan benefits and coverage before you need care.
- > Grab over-the-counter medications/health care products at a price that is far less than what would be charged at CVS or another retail pharmacy. The ScriptCenter is available 24/7 in the entrance of HUHS on the 1st floor of the Smith Campus Center.
The works to cultivate a healthy and engaged Harvard community through education and the promotion of holistic health and wellbeing.
- Schedule an or appointment (there is a cost for these services)
- > explore their free mindfulness offerings/programs
- > CWHP offers a series of workshops FREE for students/leaders of student organizations including yoga, mindfulness, and health promotion topics. Request a workshop online or at a location convenient to you.
ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø students have access to in a broad range of movement styles and dance traditions and are designed for all levels and abilities. Taught by the Dance Program's exceptional , many classes also feature live musical accompaniment.
is a University-wide initiative that promotes various forms of physical activity in an effort to promote holistic wellbeing across the Harvard community. The program sponsors weekly walks and runs for both beginners and experienced runners. Any pace, any distance. All Harvard affiliates welcome!
provides fitness facilities and programming to the Harvard Community, with group exercise, personal training, and more. There is a for ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø students.
Sexual Harassment/Misconduct Support
Through the , students have options to disclose a concern anonymously, request an informal resolution, or file a formal complaint.
OGE’s Prevention & Awareness Program delivers customizable trainings and programming in person or virtually, for faculty, staff, and students. Learn how to .
Connect with a to explore supportive measures or no contact orders. Learn about our Title IX policies and procedures and other important resources.
Reporting Concerns in our Community
ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø aspires to be a place for working and learning in which everyone can thrive.
Students should contact Professional Conduct and Community Support Specialist Cailin Burke if they want to discuss any discrimination or bullying concerns, or obtain information on available resources related to Harvard's Non-Discrimination and Anti-Bullying policies.
Speaking or making a report to Cailin does not in and of itself initiate an investigation or formal complaint.
The is a resource to confidentially report your concerns and support a safe, ethical community at Harvard University.
Here is a useful page on responding to online abuse, harassment, and intimidation: .
If you ever are feeling unsafe on campus, receiving any threats, or are in immediate danger, contact HUPD at 617-495-1212. Any threatening emails should be sent to concerningemail@hupd.harvard.edu.
Academic
The ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø Communications Program helps students improve, develop, and execute written, spoken, and digital policy communications skills. They offer free private sessions with a writing and public speaking consultant.
ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø Library's provide individualized support for ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø students working on writing projects. Tutors are trained by an ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø faculty member to help bring out the best writing in their peers through one-on-one workshopping.
ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø librarians can help students find resources (articles, books, data), conduct a literature review, assess source quality, cite sources and avoid plagiarism (including by using Zotero), collect and clean data, use programming/coding tools, implement analytical methods, visualize data, and manage their data responsibly.
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can support MPP and MPA/ID students working on Policy Analysis Exercise and Second Year Policy Analysis projects with quantitative and qualitative research methods.
Food
Students have access to the . They can counsel you to help manage specific health concerns or conditions, such as diabetes, elevated lipids, high blood pressure, gastrointestinal disorders, food allergies, and eating concerns/disorders. They also can advise you based on your personal needs, including sports nutrition, vegetarian/vegan nutrition, improving nutritional balance, becoming a competent eater, and weight management.
Students do not require a referral. Call 617-495-2068 to make an appointment.
ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø students may elect to purchase , a declining balance meal plan for use in designated Harvard University Dining Services campus cafés. Receive a 10 percent discount for any purchase made with your meal plan.
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The (HarvardKey required) seeks to make food leftovers available after events are finished to help reduce the volume of our campus' food waste and connect food with our community members.
Sign up by emailing ´Ú´Ç´Ç»å³¦³ó²¹¾±²Ô-Âá´Ç¾±²Ô°ª±ô¾±²õ³Ù²õ​.³ó°ì²õ.³ó²¹°ù±¹²¹°ù»å.±ð»å³Ü to be notified when the next Food Chain event is held.
Groups of 2-5 ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø students can invite an ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø faculty or staff member to the HUDS Café or a (Saloniki Greek not included) using a Crimson Cash Card provided by the Office of Student Services. Each participant may spend up to $15​. Students can participate in this program twice each semester.
(HarvardKey required).
Important Supportive Offices
ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø Disability Resources > ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø students request accommodations through from the Office of Student Services, who serves as Disability Accommodations Coordinator. To receive accommodations, students must disclose and provide medical documentation about their disability, which may be physical, mental, learning, and/or temporary.
serves as a central resource on disability-related information, procedures, and services for the Harvard community.
The ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø Office of Belonging, Community, and Connection (OBCC) team promotes belonging, fosters community, and facilitates connection across Harvard Kennedy School. (HarvardKey required).
is a professional community representing many of the world’s religious, spiritual, and ethical traditions, and shares a collective commitment to serving the spiritual needs of Harvard University.
The (HIO) provides information on a range of topics, including immigration issues (work permits, travel), financial questions, adjustment to life in the United States, and resources at Harvard and in the community. International graduate students are given the opportunity to participate in the HIO's , which connects them with local volunteer hosts living in the Cambridge and Boston areas.
Leah Boccaccio serves as the HIO Advisor for ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø and is available to help students with immigration services and other needs.
The is a highly confidential and independent resource available to anyone from Harvard’s community seeking assistance with any issue affecting one’s work or studies. The Ombuds Office can help you think through potentially challenging communications you are initiating or to which you are responding