Happy Valley can become miserable really quickly for students who get sick, but the cure can be found with the help of University Health Services (UHS).
Students in need of medical assistance can visit the Student Health Center, which houses doctors, counselors and a pharmacy.
The center is located on Bigler Road behind the Eisenhower Parking Deck next to the Bank of America Career Services Center.
UHS spokesperson Beth Collitt said students should first visit the UHS Web site when faced with questions regarding health and wellness.
If a student needs medical consultation, Collitt said the UHS site is the fastest and easiest way to schedule an appointment. Using the site, students can see what times are available for which doctors so they can arrange their schedules accordingly.
They may also call the Advice Nurse, who is available 24-hours a day, as a second way to receive medical consultation.
"It's a great place to describe your symptoms, and they'll give advice on what you can do yourself and when you should see a doctor," Collitt said.
Although medical assistance is available, it is important to know how to stay in good health, said Linda LaSalle, associate director of education services for UHS.
LaSalle said general rules to keep students healthy include getting about eight hours of sleep, eating a well balanced diet rich with fruits and vegetables and getting 30 minutes of moderate physical exercise five times a week.
UHS also advises that freshmen bring a self-care kit for school, LaSalle said. The kit should contain a thermometer, some aspirin, cough syrup, bottled water, sports drinks, soups, alcohol-based sanitizers and boxes of tissues.
Students can be physically in good health, but may still need to visit the health center.
Students must, however, know their health insurance coverage.
Without insurance, an appointment is $25 for a walk-in during weekdays, while the cost is $30 on the weekends, Collitt said. Other services, such as radiology, cost extra, she added.
For those students feeling overwhelmed or homesick, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), located on the fifth floor of the Student Health Center, is ready to help. Mary Anne Knapp, a clinical social worker and senior staff therapist at CAPS, said the service provides clinical consultation, crisis intervention and counseling for individuals, couples and groups.
CAPS is primarily a prevention and consultation service, Knapp said.
"CAPS is a place to come if you are feeling overwhelmed, depressed, having trouble adjusting, relationship issues or if you just want to talk about any issue a student is having privately or confidentially," she said. "CAPS is a good place to come."
A student who feels that he or she may require CAPS should either call or come in to the office to establish contact with a staff person, Knapp said. She added that if the situation is a crisis, however, the student could be scheduled immediately.
While CAPS's office hours only extend until 5 p.m., there are options for a student in need after that time. Knapp pointed to the Centre County CAN HELP Line as the first place a student should turn to when CAPS is unavailable.
These two groups in the Student Health Center are ready and willing to help any student in need that calls on them.
For students with questions, UHS will hold an Open House and Health Fair, with door prizes related to living healthy lifestyles, on Sept. 9 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., Collitt said.
