Staying Healthy: A Holistic Approach

Student Health and Wellness Center (SHWC)

The Student Health and Wellness Center (SHWC) welcomes you and your student to SOU. The SHWC is an accredited, integrated medical/mental health care clinic serving SOU students with dedicated physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, counselors, lab/ medical dispensary, health education, and administrative staff. The SHWC specializes in the meeting the unique needs of college students.

We view health and wellness holistically to include one’s emotional, mental, physical, social, and spiritual domains. We also understand that adults between the ages of 18-25 are going through many developmental challenges, including leaving home to attend college. Like any major life transition, beginning college involves a range of emotions and issues.

Life at SOU will be new and somewhat stressful. Between balancing the increased academic demand; living with new people; meeting new friends and staying in touch with old friends; finding activities and interests; learning and adapting to campus and Ashland; exploring dating and relationships; wrestling with emerging independence and adult identity; financial, time, and stress management; etc. it’s no wonder that SOU students report stress as being the number one health issue that affects them and their academic pursuits.

While some degree of stress is normal during transition, for some students, it can become overwhelming.  Please pay attention to how your student is adjusting to SOU so that you can help your student recognize if their “homesickness” becomes something more serious, such as depression.

At the SHWC, we can help students sort through their experiences.  Counselors are available to provide a safe place for self-reflection on important issues and decisions in their life.  Medical staff will take time with students addressing needs beyond their physical health. Healthy vigilance and advocacy is also necessary because the years between 18 and 25 are often the time of first onset of mental health issues such as depression, bipolar disorder, substance abuse/dependence or anxiety disorders.

Of course, we want to nurture self-awareness and self-care in our students but it is also important that you, the person who knows your student best, stay involved in their life.

For more on stress management and wellness please visit the Live Your Life Well website. 

We strongly encourage our students to take responsibility for their health and wellness and look forward to partnering with them during their time at SOU. Please visit our website to learn more about the SHWC, including services, insurance, and resources.