MACON, Ga. — Mercer University is one of 76 schools nationwide that The Princeton Review® has named to its 2027 Mental Health Services Honor Roll. The designation recognizes institutions for their exceptional dedication and commitment to their students’ mental health and well-being. This is the second consecutive year Mercer has been recognized
The selections for 2027 were based on data from The Princeton Review’s 2026 Campus Mental Health Survey. It asked administrators at 739 colleges 77 questions about their school’s counseling, mental health and wellness services for students.
Douglas Pearson, Ph.D., vice president for student affairs and dean of students, said Mercer is committed to serving students’ physical, mental and emotional health and wellness
“Student well-being is fundamental to student success, and Mercer is committed to creating an environment where students have the resources and support they need to thrive,” said Pearson. “This recognition reflects the dedication of our Counseling and Psychological Services staff and the many people across the University who work every day to support the mental, physical and emotional well-being of our students.”
The Princeton Review’s profile on Mercer describes its mental health offerings as having “a broad framework of support, ranging from clinical services at the Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) office to holistic wellness tools for use in residences and classes,” and the company praises the school for its “fully trained cohort of Peer Advisors to help ‘advocate for healthy behavior.’”
The profile also highlights aspects of Mercer’s “Wellness Quality of Life” and “Peer-to-Peer Reeractively and engagingly educates about mental health and suicide prevention; stress-relieving activities like coloring on the lawn; and awareness-raising giveaways, like the Safe Spring Break bags.
“The honor roll recognizes a campus culture of mental wellness that extends beyond counseling to include prevention, education and student support,” said Assistant Director of CAPS Macon Shaun Kell. “At Mercer, we work closely with campus partners to promote healthy habits, meaningful connections and a sense of belonging. We want students to know that seeking support is a normal part of caring for themselves and that the entire University community is invested in their well-being.”
Also noted among the University’s efforts to foster community connection as a foundation for wellness are resident assistants who provide in-person health and safety checks and an outdoor functional fitness area that’s part of the Recreational Sports and Wellness department, which hosts fitness programs and reivities
“At Mercer CAPS, we recognize that student well-being is essential to student success,” said Associate Director of CAPS Atlanta Erica D. Geralds. “Our commitment is to foster a supportive environment where students feel empowered to prioritize their mental health and thrive academically, personally and professionally.”
The honor roll recognition is part of an annual project — now in its third year — that The Princeton Review conducts in partnership with the Ruderman Family Foundation, an internationally recognized organization that works to end the stigma associated with mental health. Details about the methodology, a downloadable report and an infographic illustrating selected findings are accessible here
Feature image: Students participate in a recent Wellness Fair on Mercer University’s Macon campus. The event was hosted by Counseling and Psychological Services, AWARE Peer Educators and the Student Government Association
