Keeping Hawkeyes Healthy
Students have access to physical and mental health services through Student Health and University Counseling Services.
What health services are available to students on campus? The University of Iowa offers students both physical and mental health services right on campus. If students want to see a doctor, they can make an appointment with Student Health on the west side of campus. There, students can be seen by licensed doctors and nurses. If students are looking for assistance with their mental health, the university offers on-campus mental health counseling services. Visits to both Student Health and University Counseling Services are included in students’ tuition, so there are no additional costs for making an appointment.
How do I make an appointment? Student Health: The Westlawn office is open Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday 9:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. Students can call the Student Health appointment line and schedule a time to come in. UCS: UCS has several locations across campus. Students can see counselors at the University Capitol Center, Westlawn, Catlett Hall, the Dental Sciences Building, the Boyd Law Building, the Pappajohn Business Building, and the Jacobson Football Operations Building. Counselors are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Students can call the office to schedule an initial consultation. After the consultation appointment, students can make a plan with a UCS counselor on which of the university’s mental health services is right for them.
What to know about University Counseling Services
What is UIHC?
UIHC stands for University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. UIHC is separate from Student Health, so visits to UIHC are not covered by tuition. Beyond health services, the hospital and clinics associated with the University of Iowa are excellent educational resources, and many students will either work or volunteer with UIHC during their time at Iowa.
Being a college student can be stressful and mentally draining at times, but UCS is a great resource you can use to address these issues. Q: What types of services does University Counseling Services provide? A: UCS provides a wide range of services including consultations, individual therapy, group therapy, and relationship therapy. UCS is also a great resource for getting general information about undergoing counseling and therapy as a student. Most services provided by UCS, including individual counseling, are free of charge for students. Q: I want to start talking to someone and/or attending therapy on a regular basis. What can I do to initiate this process? A: Call University Counseling Services to schedule a consultation with a UCS staff member. During the consultation, this staff member will help you determine the best path forward for addressing your needs. Some students may receive different modes of therapy or be referred to outside providers depending on their individual needs. Q: Should I go to University Counseling Services or an outside provider if I want to start talking to someone or attending
therapy sessions? A: The decision is up to you, but UCS is a great place to start. If the therapy programs offered by UCS aren’t what you need, UCS staff can refer you to providers in the area that work best with your specific insurance plan, clinical needs, and even personality. Q: What if I want to talk to somebody about an issue, but don’t want to attend regular sessions? A: University Counseling Services offers QuickAccess appointments, which is a one-time 60-minute appointment with a counselor. You can schedule these appointments anytime from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays. Q: What if I can’t wait until a scheduled appointment to speak to somebody about an urgent issue? A: Call University Counseling services to schedule a same-day appointment. These appointments are scheduled on a first come, first serve basis starting at 8 a.m. on weekdays. Depending on your needs, UCS may schedule a consultation.
11 | HAWKEYE VIEW THE DAILY IOWAN | WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2021 | DAILYIOWAN.COM
