Your health and wellness are important, but prioritizing them during college can be hard. That’s why PSU has got you covered. All PSU students have access to a wide range of health and wellness services from the Center for Student Health and Counseling (SHAC), Campus Rec, and other offerings designed to support your physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.
SHAC offers many health services for students, all conveniently located right on campus or via telehealth. Services include routine adult medical care, lab and x-rays, immunizations, STI screenings, birth control, and more. To schedule an appointment or find more information, call 503-725-2800 or use the online Patient Portal. SHAC also partners with an outside organization to offer a 24/7 nurse line, so if you need after hours assistance, contact 1-844-224-3145.
Dental care is also available for students. While it is fee-for-service (although certain insurances are accepted), the cost is 30-50% lower than other local providers. Any student taking at least one credit is eligible.
There are many resources on campus to help you take care of your mental health. SHAC offers individual and group counseling, can connect you to outside resources, and offers specialized services for underrepresented groups like trans folks and veterans. Students are encouraged to call SHAC any time they need mental health support, and if it is after hours, to call My Student Support Program (My SSP) at 866-743-7732 – a free and confidential support service available 24/7 to all PSU students.
Wellness education, including peer recovery support, workshops, and programs, are offered periodically throughout the year. You can make appointments for the Mind Spa and take advantage of its many relaxation-promoting features: a massage chair, light therapy, biofeedback games, and a meditation corner. A Virtual Mind Spa, with resources to promote mindfulness, emotional, and physical wellbeing, is available without an appointment, at any time.
One great way to take care of your physical and mental health is to get moving. That’s why Campus Recreation offers a huge range of options that will help you find what’s right for you. Not everyone likes to run on treadmills, and that’s fine! The Campus Rec building does have cardio machines, but it also has a pool and spa, a weight room, an indoor track, a climbing center with bouldering and top-rope walls, personal training, and drop-in and intramural sports. Group X classes provide many inclusive and accessible fitness classes to the PSU community, and include things like yoga, Pilates, HIIT classes, and more – all for free, no advance registration needed.
The Outdoor Program hosts trips throughout the year, so you can easily go on hikes, learn to paddle, ski, climb outdoors, and much more. If you’d rather plan your own trip, outdoor gear rentals are available for students at a much lower cost than local retailers. There’s also a host of virtual offerings, from virtual fitness class and exercise programs, to podcasts, clubs, and on-demand videos.
Of course, another important component of feeling your best is access to fresh food. PSU has two resources for students to access FREE food: the Free Food Market, and the Food Pantry. The Free Food Market operates on the second Monday of every month, from 9:30-11am, in the South Park Blocks, and has fresh produce and other food available to PSU students. Bring your own bag! The Food Pantry is open from 12-5pm Monday-Friday for both walk-ins and appointments. Students can visit the pantry once a week for free groceries. There are many resources available for food assistance; visit PSU’s Food Assistance webpage to learn more.
PSU is here to help you take care of your health and wellbeing with many resources and systems of support. Most of them are free, covered by your student health plan, or very low-cost, so explore your options and make time for self-care today!