New Semester Advice

August 25, 2016

A message from Kim LaPean, UHS Communications Manager, and Sarah Gamble, Health Educator/Project Director.

Advice for UHS Health Workers from Sarah

As the semester starts, I wanted to send out a couple of reminders about resources for you in dealing with students and their health issues on behalf of the University Health Services. 

  1. All students, regardless of insurance, can access counseling on campus for academic, career, and personal issues. There is no cost to get started. 
  2. Doctors and nurses at UHS do not give sick notes for standard illnesses (cold, flu, etc). Please encourage students to stay home when ill and rest up!
  3. Students take the advice/guidance of faculty very seriously. Many of our students do not drink (over 50% of incoming first years) and many are not sexually active (about 1/3). We are trying to foster a campus community where all healthy choices are affirmed, so please – when speaking with students about sex/drugs/drinking, do not assume they are all sexually active or using substances.
  4. Our students can at times be a highly stressed group of people – our message, and we hope yours too, is one of balance. Working, sleeping, eating right, hydrating, exercising, relaxing, and socializing. Please help us support them in creating balance in their busy lives by encouraging them to take time for themselves, to get enough sleep, and to keep themselves healthy. Please also consider when setting late-night deadlines what message those deadlines send about the importance of sleep. See our Be Well resources.
  5. If you see a student who seems out of balance or about whom you are worried, please reach out to them and offer support. Often, students with high levels of stress or mental health challenges will only come to the Tang Center when they have reached their breaking point – we would rather they have support earlier. Call us if you’re not sure what to do, and we will help. (Our counseling office number is 510-642-9494). See the Mental Health Handbook for faculty, staff, and GSIs for more.  

Thanks for all the great work you do!

Advice to UHS Health Workers from Kim

  1. Remember to let students know that they can stay connected with UHS all year long through our newsletter and social media channels. 

  2. Don’t forget to care for YOURSELF. Use our services and provide feedback whenever possible. This helps us improve our services.