Health Services For Students: Appalachian State University's Offerings

Appalachian State University offers a range of health services to meet the needs of its students. The M.S. Shook Student Health Service is a primary care ambulatory campus health clinic that provides several medical care options, including STI testing, emergency contraception, pregnancy testing, and physical examinations. The university also has a Wellness and Prevention Services department, which promotes healthy behaviours and risk behaviour modification services while offering support for emotional, environmental, occupational, physical, social, intellectual, and spiritual wellness. Additionally, the university provides a Counselling and Psychological Services Centre, located on the first floor of the Miles Annas Building, offering short-term individual counselling, group counselling, and couples or family counselling.

M.S. Shook Student Health Service: primary care provider for App State students

M.S. Shook Student Health Service is Appalachian State University's primary care provider. The service is a primary care ambulatory campus health clinic, meeting the needs of Appalachian State University students. It is located on the second floor of the Miles Annas Student Services Building.

M.S. Shook Student Health Service provides a range of health services to students, including STI testing, emergency contraception, pregnancy testing, and physical examinations. They also offer basic x-ray services, a pharmacy, and vaccines. Students can also get tested for COVID-19 at the clinic.

The clinic is open Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm, with the last appointments available at 4 pm. It is also open on Wednesday from 9 am to 5 pm, and on Saturdays and Sundays from 8 to 11 am, with limited services. The pharmacy is closed on weekends and during semester breaks.

The clinic provides high-quality health care at a low cost and is easily accessible, being centrally located on campus. The staff includes dedicated and experienced healthcare professionals who provide accredited primary healthcare. The clinic also engages in ongoing collaboration with academics and other student support services at the university.

M.S. Shook Student Health Service encourages students and their families to express any concerns or complaints they may have about the quality of care or services. Suggestion boxes are available at the main entrance, in the pharmacy, and in the After-Hours Clinic, and concerns can also be emailed to the Administrative Director of Health Services.

Wellness and Prevention Services: health awareness and active lifestyle promotion

Appalachian State University's Wellness and Prevention Services is dedicated to promoting health awareness and active lifestyles for students. The service takes an all-inclusive, holistic approach to wellness, covering eight dimensions: intellectual, environmental, occupational, emotional, financial, physical, social, and spiritual wellness.

Wellness and Prevention Services offers a range of resources to support students' health and wellbeing. This includes mental health programs, substance use and addictions counselling, and nutritional counselling. The service also provides risk behaviour modification services, helping students to reflect on their personal experiences, navigate stress, and make positive behaviour changes.

Emotional wellness is a key focus, with services designed to help students develop resilience and understand their motivations. Students are encouraged to seek assistance when facing adversity and to create support systems to celebrate successes and help with setbacks.

Physical wellness is also a priority, with advice on sleep, substance use, and the establishment of positive behaviours regarding physical activity, nutrition, and sexual health.

Wellness and Prevention Services also promotes environmental wellness, encouraging students to connect with nature and understand the impact of their actions on the environment. This includes suggestions for recycling, alternative forms of transportation, and sustainable practices.

The service further supports students in their occupational wellness journey, helping them to explore career options, seek out meaningful employment, and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Wellness and Prevention Services is not a primary care facility; instead, it works alongside the M.S. Shook Student Health Service, which is Appalachian State University's primary care provider.

Counseling and Psychological Services: mental health support

Appalachian State University offers a range of mental health support services to its students through its Counseling and Psychological Services Center. The Center provides a variety of services to cater to the diverse needs of the student body.

One of the key services offered is short-term individual counselling. Students can schedule an initial consultation, either in person or by phone, to meet with a counsellor and discuss their concerns. During this consultation, the counsellor will collaborate with the student to determine the best course of treatment, which may include individual therapy, group therapy, or referral to off-campus practitioners for more specialised or long-term care. The Center also offers couples and family counselling for those who may be experiencing relationship issues.

In addition to therapy, the Center provides a range of educational programming, workshops, and prevention programs. These programs aim to address a variety of topics, such as stress, anxiety, depression, anger, loneliness, and grief. The Center also offers support for students dealing with trauma, sexual assault, abuse, discrimination, or oppression.

For students who may be facing an urgent mental health crisis, the Center offers after-hours emergency coverage. This service is available outside of regular business hours and can be accessed by calling the Center and selecting the option to speak with the counsellor on call.

Appalachian State University also offers a Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, which is a 60-hour CACREP-accredited degree. This program provides a supportive and challenging environment for graduate students to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to become effective counsellors. The program includes opportunities for graduate certificates in areas like Expressive Arts Therapy and Addictions Counseling.

The University also promotes mental health and emotional wellness through its Wellness and Prevention Services. This service takes a holistic approach to student well-being, encompassing eight dimensions of wellness, including emotional, environmental, occupational, and social wellness. They offer a range of resources and events to support students in managing stress, building resilience, and seeking assistance when needed.

Case Management: located on the third floor of Plemmons Student Union

Appalachian State University's student health services are delivered by the M.S. Shook Student Health Service, a primary care ambulatory campus health clinic. The clinic is centrally located and provides high-quality, accredited primary healthcare at a low cost.

The university also offers Wellness and Prevention Services, which serves all students by promoting healthy behaviours and risk behaviour modification services. This service is not a primary care facility, but it does offer support in areas such as substance use and addictions, nutritional counselling, and mental health.

Case Management is a department within the Office of the Dean of Students, located on the third floor of Plemmons Student Union. The service provides 360-degree individualized support to students facing a range of concerns, including complex personal situations, general welfare, interpersonal violence, health and wellness, and safety issues that may impact their academics. Case Managers help students identify on-campus and off-campus resources and information, supporting their overall Appalachian State University experience.

The Case Management team can be contacted via phone, email, or in-person during their operating hours of Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. The team encourages anyone concerned about a student's well-being or safety to complete an online Care and Concern Referral. In cases of immediate threat to self or others, calling 911 or the Appalachian Police Department at 828-262-2150 is advised.

Dean of Students: located in the Plemmons Student Union

Appalachian State University offers a range of health services for students. The M.S. Shook Student Health Service is the primary care provider for students, offering physician-related services and serving as an accredited primary health care facility. The university also has a Wellness and Prevention Services department, which promotes healthy behaviours and campus-wide health policies to facilitate student success and holistic well-being.

The Dean of Students can be found in the Plemmons Student Union (PSU), which is the central hub for student activities and is supported exclusively by student fees. The PSU was opened in 1967 and has since undergone renovations and expansions. It is run by and for students, aiming to provide a safe and inclusive environment that enhances both academic achievement and the social experience. The PSU houses many departments and clubs related to student life, including the Career Development Center, Student Veteran Services, and the Office of Intercultural Student Affairs. The Career Development Center offers services such as resume reviews, career coaching, and job and internship search assistance. Student Veteran Services provides programming, services, and resources to support military-affiliated students throughout their time at the university. The Office of Intercultural Student Affairs engages with students of marginalised and minoritised identities, offering three student-led outreach centres: the Multicultural Centre, LGBTQ Centre, and Women's Centre.

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