Benefits of Student Health Centers You May Not Know About
Depending on where you go to college, there is a good chance you will shell out good money for student health care every semester. These on-campus services and clinics include more than just quick visits to the nurse or doctor. There are usually many other benefits you will want to take advantage of.
Some colleges require a special student insurance plan, while others simply include a small medical charge in your tuition, so your mileage will vary. Either way, these centers usually offer obvious things, such as free or low-cost nursing visits when you get sick, annual health check-ups and check-ups, reproductive and female care, and various therapist services. Here are a few more perks that you may not have known about your student wellness center offers.
Free HIV testing and STI testing
Most schools have some form of free sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing, or at least discounted testing. Many schools, such as the University of Nebraska , offer STI screenings for free whenever you need them, but many others, such as the University of South Florida, do special screenings on certain days. Be sure to check out your student health center for a schedule of test events.
In addition to standard STI testing, nearly every school in the United States has some form of free anonymous HIV testing. This test is usually done in the student health department by taking a blood sample or saliva swab. Similar to STI screening, HIV testing is sometimes offered as an outreach visit, but it can also be a special screening event, so check your office website to see how they do it.
Free flu shots (and others)
You can find cheap flu shots in many places, but chances are good that your student health center sets aside a week or two each year to provide free shots to students. This varies slightly by region and school, so be wary of signs of the onset of cold and flu season.
It’s not just flu vaccines. Many colleges, such as Lehman College , require vaccinations before enrollment and offer cheap or free vaccinations to help many schools that require vaccinations. You can also find other similar types of risk-based vaccination programs, such as the free meningitis B vaccine program at the University of California . If for some reason you are not up to date on your vaccinations, register with student health center to learn about cheap ways to catch up before school starts.
Free (or cheap) OTC cold medications
If you do get the flu, many health centers offer small packs of free cold, flu, headache, and allergy medicine if you just walk in and ask for them.
Some student health centers, such as Fullerton College or Oxnard College , will give you over-the-counter medications such as aspirin, cough drops, or ibuprofen free of charge. If your school does not have free options, most health centers at least sell over-the-counter drugs for a little less than what you find at the grocery store or even any store on campus you may have.
Free condoms and free (or discounted) emergency contraception
If there is one universal truth among student health clinics in the United States, it’s this: you can get free condoms there. This may differ slightly from institution to institution, but it is an ongoing free perk at almost every public college. Hell, if you’re a student at Boston University, they’ll get you condoms .
Other forms of birth control , including birth control pills and NuvaRing , are often available at a reduced cost as well. Many schools, including the University of Brooklyn and the University of Wisconsin , also have free or low – cost emergency contraception such as Plan B or ella .
Free chewing gum or patches to help you quit smoking
Do you want to quit smoking? Great solution . Good news: Many schools offer free nicotine patches and chewing gum to help you quit smoking, which is a pretty good deal considering how expensive these products are to buy from the pharmacy.
If your campus is non-smoking (and most of them are at least indirectly), you can ensure that the student health department has some kind of smoking cessation program. For example, Oregon State University and Stony Brook University give away free chewing gum and patches, and offer many other support groups, therapy, and other counseling options if you need them. They can also give you a discount on prescription drugs like Chantix , so be sure to ask.
Free psychiatric stress relief
College is a busy time in your life, but you are not alone. Mental health services such as therapy, counseling, support groups, or even peer counseling are often provided free of charge at your student health center. This often includes short, urgent on-site visits to therapist or vouchers for more in-depth or ongoing discussions with the therapist off-campus. The range of services on offer varies widely, but most colleges seem to have at least some mental health option, and it is almost always underutilized.
Some schools go a little further with their benefits. Harvard offers one-to-one counseling and group classes. Many schools, such as the University of New Mexico, offer discounted massage prices, which is very convenient during the finals. Others, like Columbia University, offer discounted acupuncture. There are many different stress management benefits you will find depending on the type of school you attend, so when things get a little tricky it is worth a quick visit to the student health office.