Answers to the questions we hear most — about the project, privacy, and well-being at Dartmouth.
Evergreen is an AI-powered wellness platform designed by students for students – and supported by leading faculty in AI and behavioral science – that integrates AI with optional behavioral-sensing data such as sleep patterns, activity levels, and stress indicators to deliver brief, science-based check-ins, nudges, and personalized recommendations that help students build resilience and flourish at Dartmouth and beyond. The goal is to help students flourish, offering evidence-based support early, when it can do the most good.
The Oct. 10, 2025 announcement of Evergreen's launch details the platform's functionality, the projected timeline for testing and rollout, the foundational Dartmouth research behind its development, and the motivation of the students and faculty dedicated to the project.
This expands the well-being services and resources at Dartmouth by adding a student-built, supportive tool that will provide proactive, continuous well-being support grounded in evidence-based research in digital interventions.
Built by Dartmouth students working with Dartmouth faculty at every level of design and development, and led by the Center for Technology and Behavioral Health (CTBH) — Evergreen's home, based in the Geisel School of Medicine. Thrive Global has an advisory role as part of a non-binding, non-commercial partnership. Thrive is available to provide free content strategy guidance as well as scalable know-how, should other universities be interested in adopting customized versions of Evergreen on their own campus. Thrive does not have access to any student data.
College moves fast, and the science and tools for supporting student well-being are advancing just as quickly.
Dartmouth – where the term "AI" was coined – remains at the forefront of technology and mental health, from creating the first FDA-cleared digital therapeutics to leading the longest mobile sensing study of student well-being. Evergreen translates decades of research into a practical, student-built, student-centered tool that harnesses AI responsibly. Its goal is not only to provide individualized guidance, but also to foster resilience, strengthen community, and prepare students to thrive through times of uncertainty.
A year-long study with approximately 200 undergraduates began in early 2026 and is assessing outcomes including mental well-being, anxiety reduction, emotion regulation, and connection, with transparent reporting of results. After the study, Dartmouth will determine next research steps, which may include additional trials.
Thrive Global, a behavior change technology company, is serving as a resource for Dartmouth students as they build Evergreen. The partnership gives student researchers access to Thrive experts in mental health content strategy and scalable wellbeing technology. Thrive is offering this support because Evergreen aligns with their mission to improve mental health through behavior change and their belief in Dartmouth's mission to prepare the next generation of leaders. Importantly, Thrive Global does not receive any student data — all data remain securely at Dartmouth, under student control and faculty oversight.
Because Evergreen was created by students for students — in close partnership with distinguished researchers — it is not a consumer chatbot or an unregulated app. It is grounded in Dartmouth's rigorous clinical research, including over 100,000 hours (and counting) of student-curated and expert-reviewed therapeutic dialogue. The platform is evaluated under Institutional Review Board (IRB) protocols, meaning it meets the same research standards as clinical studies. These safeguards ensure that Evergreen advances student well-being responsibly and with scientific integrity.
Evergreen is being built with multiple layers of protection. All insights generated from the data are encrypted and securely stored on Evergreen-controlled systems. These safeguards mean that your data stays private while still allowing Evergreen to provide personalized, real-time support for students' well-being.
Privacy is a fundamental part of Evergreen. All participation is voluntary and opt-in, and students decide what (if any) data to share – such as sleep patterns, activity, or stress levels. Students may opt out at any time. No data will ever be repurposed or used in student conduct, academic, or administrative decision-making, nor will it be shared with third parties, administrators, or corporate partners.
Commitment to Care is Dartmouth's strategic plan for supporting student mental health and well-being. Through a comprehensive and evidence-based approach, it strives to create a campus culture where students feel valued and empowered, and where they have the resources they need to maintain their health and well-being. The plan commits to specific and immediate actions as well as long-term initiatives that assess and strengthen the academic ecosystem, physical infrastructure, student support systems, and our campus community.
Five strategic goals:
Of the 73 actions in Commitment to Care: 27 actions have been completed (though they may require ongoing monitoring, evaluation, and/or maintenance), 36 are in progress, and 10 have not begun.
At Dartmouth, we recognize that well-being is multidimensional and provide a wide range of resources to support students, including:
Additionally, given health and well-being is a strategic priority, the Division of Community and Campus Life has been elevated to report directly to the president and serves all students, not just undergrads, and Health and Wellness is now part of the President's division.
An anonymous student survey (part of the Healthy Minds Network) administered at nearly 200 higher education institutions. It covers a range of topics such as mental health and substance use knowledge, health- and wellness-related experiences, personal safety, and demographic questions. The 2024 survey showed significant progress on a number of key metrics:
Students can join the waitlist to help create conversations and stories that reflect the Dartmouth undergraduate experience. These will serve as the foundation for training Evergreen. As an Evergreen Project Assistant, you'll get to combine research with storytelling, shaping a resource designed by and for you and your peers.
Interested? Email us at evergreen@dartmouth.edu or join the waitlist to learn more!
Evergreen is made possible by philanthropic funding and the generosity of donors who share our vision for student mental health. We are still actively fundraising to support Evergreen's expansion and ensure that every student has access to these critical resources. Continued support is vital to sustain and grow this work.
To support Evergreen or to learn more, contact us at evergreen@dartmouth.edu.
You can reach us with questions at evergreen@dartmouth.edu.
You can reach us with questions at evergreen@dartmouth.edu.
