Boosting Student Health: Northeastern’s Impressive Support System

Student Well-being: The Foundations and Available Resources

According to a mental health specialist at Northeastern University, balance, routine, sleep, and nutrition form the core of student well-being. These fundamental elements are where you should begin to ensure optimal health. There is a broad spectrum of support systems and resources at Northeastern designed to assist you in achieving these crucial needs. These were showcased at the Spring Health and Wellness Resource Fair held at the Boston campus. You can find more information on health, wellness, and student support at other campuses available online.

University Health and Counseling Services

University Health and Counseling Services delivers medical and mental health care to students at Northeastern’s Boston campus. This includes same-day routine and acute visits, mental health support for drop-ins, testing, care coordination, referral to clinical providers, and support for medical leave of absence. The center recommends that students secure a primary care physician in Boston.

Most visits to UHCS, which is located at 70 Forsyth St., Suite 135, are urgent but nonemergency appointments for single acute issues such as sore throats, coughs, and fevers. All UHCS services are free for undergraduate and School of Law students, except for lab work or referrals to outside specialists. Graduate students can opt to access care via the Student Health Plan or choose to pay a flat rate.

For mental health care, UHCS offers multiple access pathways, including phone consultations, drop-in visits, and 24/7 virtual, unlimited, free counseling through Uwill. You can also avail of additional mental health resources, including an anonymous peer-to-peer mental health community Togetherall, memberships for Headspace, a digital mental health platform, and self-paced modules, through Find@Northeastern. These resources are free for all Northeastern students.

Nutrition and Dining

Two campus registered dietitians, Gabrielle Cabacab and Johannah Gaitings-Harrod, are available to assist you in navigating food and dining options on campus. They ensure that the dining hall menus include vegan, vegetarian, and faith-based options to support balanced dining.

These dietitians offer one-on-one nutrition counseling and medical nutrition therapy for students with chronic conditions such as prediabetes, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and polycystic ovary syndrome. They also help students with eating disorders and disordered eating and provide referrals to external dietitians when needed.

University Recreation

University recreation is all about having fun and building a fantastic fitness community. Students can participate in team and individual sports such as flag football, softball, soccer, broomball, badminton, floor hockey, and volleyball without having to attend tryouts, practices or coaches. All you need to do is sign up on their website, join the team, and play.

Students can also register for over 70 group fitness classes for a one-time fee of $50 per semester. Nationally certified student trainers offer personal training, though waitlists may apply. Students can also earn certification through a 10-week personal trainer course offered each fall and spring.

Office of Prevention and Education

The Office of Prevention and Education (OPEN) located at 307 Ell Hall, concentrates on student wellness through education and prevention initiatives related to alcohol and other drugs, sexual violence, and sexual health.

Students who have experienced sexual violence, dating violence or stalking can seek support through OPEN’S Sexual Violence Resource Center. The office also provides resources for parents to support prevention and response efforts. OPEN encourages informed decision-making around sexual health by offering educational programming and connecting students to STI testing and free sexual health supplies near Northeastern’s global campuses. Students on the Boston and Oakland campuses can access low-cost emergency contraception and free supplies through the Wellness Vending Machines.