Official Launch of the HEA Healthy Campus Self-Evaluation Tool

Posted: 12 November, 2024

The HEA is leading the global movement for ‘health promoting campuses’ with the official launch of the Healthy Campus Self-Evaluation Tool.

The HEA will officially launch the Healthy Campus Self-Evaluation Tool at Trinity College Dublin today Tuesday 12^th November 2024.

The HEA Healthy Campus Self-Evaluation Tool was developed for the HEA by a collaborative project team, led by Trinity College Dublin and colleagues from Munster Technological University, University College Cork and the University of Limerick.

The Tool will enable institutions to comprehensively self-assess their work in relation to student and staff health and wellbeing including the implementation of both the HEA Healthy Campus Charter and Framework and the National Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Framework. The Tool supports implementation of the Healthy Campus Process by facilitating a campus wide needs assessment to identify the health needs of students and staff.

Tim Conlon, Head of Policy and Strategic Planning, HEA

‘The HEA is committed to ensuring a culture of supporting student and staff health and wellbeing across institutions. We understand that this can support broader objectives in higher education including student success, progression, teaching and learning and more. I encourage institutional leadership to consider the use the Tool to further enhance their work in relation to health and wellbeing for successful outcomes.’

Caroline Mahon, Healthy Campus Coordinator, HEA

‘The development of the HEA Healthy Campus Self-Evaluation Tool enables institutions to comprehensively self-evaluate their approach to health and wellbeing and supports a whole of campus approach. It forms a key part in actioning the commitments outlined in the Healthy Campus Charter.’

Professor Catherine Darker, Project Lead, Trinity College Dublin:

“This isn’t just a Tool; it’s a game-changer for healthier campuses. We’re giving institutions the power to take a deep dive into their health and wellbeing efforts and make real, lasting improvements. Leading this project has been an incredible honour and privilege. As part of a global movement to embed health in all aspects of campus life, Ireland is leading the way with this tool—empowering our institutions to create thriving, supportive environments for students and staff.”

The HEA Healthy Campus Self-Evaluation Tool Notes

• The launch event will see staff and students from across the higher education sector to institutions come together to discuss health and wellbeing.
• A presentation by project lead Professor Catherine Darker, Trinity College Dublin will give attendees an insight into the process undertaken to develop the Tool. There will also be presentations from the University of Limerick on their approach to Healthy Campus and Munster Technological University on resources along with a facilitated workshop on using the Tool.
• The Tool includes governance, leadership, campus facilities and services, curriculum development as well as guidance on health focused areas such as mental health, alcohol use, sexual health and positive relationships, tobacco use and vaping, physical activity and healthy eating.
• Key features of the Tool include an interactive pdf, repository of resources and a self-generated certificate of completion. The HEA has developed an accessible web version of the resource repository, which will be updated regularly.