Welcome back, students!
We hope you enjoyed winter break and found time to rest and reset. University Health Services (UHS) is here to support your health and wellbeing. Here are a few reminders to help get your spring semester off to healthier start.
Medical Services
We offer high-quality care to all students for a range of concerns including acute injuries and illnesses, chronic medical issues, primary care needs, gynecology, sexual health, immunizations, physical therapy, and athletic training. Appointments are available at the main UHS clinic (333 East Campus Mall, appointments required) and the Lakeshore Clinic (Dejope Hall, drop in only).
Infectious diseases (including influenza, COVID-19, and mononucleosis) spread easily from person to person. Here are few steps you can take to protect yourself and others:
- Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds after using the bathroom and before eating.
- If you have symptoms of a respiratory illness (cough, sneezing, sore throat, runny nose, fever), consider wearing a mask when around others.
- Clean doorknobs, refrigerator and drawer handles, light switches, and shared counters with products like Clorox or Lysol.
- Don’t share personal items like toothbrushes, razors, and makeup – these items harbor bacteria and can transmit infections.
- Wash your bedsheets regularly, especially after you’ve been sick.
- If you have COVID-19 symptoms, stay home and take a rapid antigen test. If you test positive, stay home and isolate according to CDC guidelines. If you test negative and continue to have symptoms, contact UHS so they can assess your symptoms prior to your return to class or work.
- There’s still time to get your flu shot since flu season extends into the early spring. You can schedule a flu shot appointment with Public Health Madison & Dane County or at a local pharmacy.
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Mental Health Services
MHS offers the option to see a provider in person or remote via a Zoom telehealth appointment. After establishing care with an MHS provider, clients and their provider can discuss if in-person or remote appointments—or a combination of both—work best. Students located anywhere in Wisconsin are eligible for hybrid services and there are additional virtual options for students located outside the state.
The first step to individual counseling appointments is to schedule an Access Appointment. Call 608-265-5600 (option 2) or schedule in MyUHS. You can request providers with specific identities, backgrounds, or training during your Access Appointment.
There are also services available that don’t require an Access Appointment.
- Many groups and workshops are available to you. Call 608-265-5600 (option 2) to learn more about a particular group or schedule an Access Appointment if you are unsure which group would be a good fit.
- Let’s Talk provides no-cost, informal, confidential consultations in virtual or in-person settings across campus. No topic is off limits and common concerns include stress, sadness, worry, relationships, academics, family problems, and financial struggles. Drop in or register for a timeslot here: uhs.wisc.edu/lets-talk/.
- The crisis phone line is staffed by UHS providers during the day and licensed providers evenings and weekends. Someone will always answer if you call the crisis line for support. Call 608-265-5600 (option 9).
- The Connecting Badgers podcast offers tips to promote your mental health and helps you improve your mental health literacy so you can recognize, manage, and prevent mental health concerns
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Be a caring community member
Your role as a UW-Madison community member is important. If a fellow student needs help, we encourage you to assist them and stay until help arrives. Under UW-Madison’s Responsible Action Guidelines, there will be no disciplinary action against students who were drinking underage and helping another student by calling 9-1-1, getting a House Fellow, or flagging down a UW-Madison or Madison Police Officer.
Best wishes for a successful semester – we’re here if you need us.