Loneliness has reached alarming levels among young people, posing critical threats to wellbeing and public health. The urgency of this issue at the University of Michigan (U-M) is underscored by recent data from a Winter 2025 survey of over 1,400 students, which revealed that over 60% of respondents felt lonely "often" or "some of the time." These findings mark an acute need to foster social connection on university campuses. This presentation will explore survey findings for the subsection of graduate student respondents and introduce next steps, including the launch of the Michigan ArtsRx pilot program. Michigan ArtsRx is an innovative arts prescribing program at U-M, developed through a partnership between the Arts Initiative, University Health and Counseling, and Wolverine Wellness. Arts prescribing is a form of social prescribing—an internationally recognized health intervention that empowers clinicians to recommend non-clinical, community based activities such as arts engagement, movement, and nature experiences. The ArtsRx pilot program aims to 1) create pathways for students to access non-clinical well-being resources, such as arts programming, through a referral model and 2) promote social connection through arts events on campus. The feasibility of the program will be evaluated through a pilot study that examines the clinical environment and a program evaluation that explores the non-clinical model. This project will expand the evidence base for social prescribing in higher education and contribute actionable insights for campus mental health, student affairs, and arts professionals nationwide.
Exploring the pilot "ArtsRX" initiative that explores arts participation as a positive factor in mental health and well-being.
Professor Clague is a full professor of musicology with tenure at the School of Music, Theatre & Dance and serves as Executive Director of the University of Michigan’s Arts Initiative. He also enjoys affiliate appointments at the University of Michigan in American Culture, African and Afro-American Studies, Non-Profit Management, and Entrepreneurship. He is co-advisor to the student organization Music Matters.
Keywords: social prescribing, arts engagement, loneliness, college students, mental health, campus wellbeing
