Washington University Student Health Services: A Comprehensive Overview

Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) is committed to supporting the health and well-being of its students. The Student Health Services (SHS) plays a crucial role in this commitment by providing accessible, high-quality medical and mental health care to students, ensuring they can thrive academically and professionally. This article provides a detailed overview of the services offered by WashU Student Health Services.

Mission and Philosophy

The Student Health Services team is dedicated to providing efficient, accessible, high-quality medical care to students at WashU Medicine. The goal is to prevent and treat health problems that may interfere with a student’s educational and professional goals while attending WashU Medicine, without causing undue financial burden. The team fosters a supportive environment where every student’s health and well-being are prioritized.

Core Services Provided

The Student Health Service is the primary resource for all student healthcare needs, conveniently located on campus. The clinical staff consists of physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, psychologists, and administrative staff, all dedicated to providing comprehensive care.

Primary Care Medical Services

SHS offers a full range of primary care medical services. These services include:

General Medical Care: Diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic illnesses, injuries, and infections.
Preventive Care: Routine check-ups, physical exams, vaccinations, and health screenings.
Women's Health: Gynecological exams, contraception counseling, and reproductive health services.
Men's Health: General health maintenance and specific screenings relevant to men's health.
Sports Medicine: Evaluation and management of sports-related injuries.
Travel Medicine: Pre-travel consultations, vaccinations, and advice on staying healthy while traveling abroad.

Mental Health Services

Recognizing the importance of mental health, SHS provides a range of mental health services to support students' emotional and psychological well-being. These services include:

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Counseling Services: Individual and group therapy to address a variety of mental health concerns such as stress, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, and academic challenges.
Psychiatric Services: Evaluation, diagnosis, and medication management for mental health conditions.
Crisis Intervention: Immediate support and resources for students experiencing a mental health crisis.
Workshops and Groups: Educational programs and support groups focused on topics such as stress management, mindfulness, and coping skills.
Referrals: Assistance with finding off-campus mental health providers when specialized or long-term care is needed.

Health Promotion and Wellness Services

SHS also offers a variety of health promotion and wellness services aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles and preventing illness. These services include:

Health Education: Workshops, seminars, and online resources on topics such as nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress management, and sexual health.
Wellness Coaching: Individualized support and guidance to help students achieve their health and wellness goals.
Screenings and Assessments: Health risk assessments and screenings for conditions such as high blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes.
Vaccination Clinics: Convenient access to vaccinations for common illnesses such as influenza, measles, mumps, rubella, and meningitis.
Substance Abuse Prevention: Education and support services to address substance use and promote responsible decision-making.

Accessing Care and Important Resources

Insurance Information

Students are encouraged to use the Find Care tool on the Sydney Health app or Anthem.com to find a doctor, hospital, or other care provider in their health plan’s network. Sydney Health provides 24/7 digital access to Anthem ID cards and other important information.

After-Hours Urgent Medical Concerns

For urgent medical concerns that arise outside of regular hours, including weekends and holidays, students can contact LiveHealth at 1-888-548-3432. Please note that there is an out-of-pocket cost of $20.00 for this service.

Mental Health Therapy Platform: Caralyst Health

Student Health Services has partnered with Caralyst Health, a platform designed to help students find therapists that are best suited for their individual preferences and needs. All therapists on the platform are covered by the Student Health Services Insurance, and all students have free access to Caralyst.

Habif Medical Services

Habif Medical Services provides comprehensive and compassionate care for all students. As an AAAHC accredited clinic on campus, it is staffed by board-certified physicians who hold faculty positions at the school of medicine, as well as nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, and medical assistants who all have interest and training in providing care for young adults.

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Health Promotion Services

Health Promotion Services works to improve individual and environmental health and well-being at WashU.

Addressing Specific Health Concerns

Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD/ADD)

In recent years, the number of students at Washington University requesting evaluation and care for attention deficit-hyperactivity related disorders (ADHD/ADD) has escalated significantly.

Insurance Coverage: Students should check with their insurance company to see if there are preferred psychiatric providers covered by their plan in the St. Louis area.
Diagnostic Testing: If unsure of a diagnosis of ADHD/ADD, students may want to proceed with formal diagnostic testing to confirm the diagnosis. Formal testing is performed by a psychologist and may be needed to establish the diagnosis. Psychologists cannot prescribe medication for ADHD/ADD, so students may need Psychiatric Referrals.
Accommodations: Diagnostic testing is mandatory for any accommodations desired from Wash U Disability Resources or for accommodations on major examinations such as the LSAT, GRE, MCAT, etc.
Support Services: While SHS is unable to offer assessment and initiation of pharmaceutical treatment of ADHD, the CCPS (presumably, the Counseling and Psychological Services) often has psycho educational groups teaching skills to cope with difficulties experienced by people with ADHD.

Continuous Improvement and Feedback

Student Health Services values student feedback and continuously strives to improve the quality of care provided. Students are encouraged to complete surveys to share their thoughts on the services they received. This feedback helps SHS to better meet student healthcare needs.

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