Student wellness

Taking a holistic approach to total health, Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine offers a wealth of resources for students in regard to every aspect — or domain — that contributes to a person’s sense of well-being, physical, emotional, social, spiritual, intellectual, occupational, environmental and financial.

Resources

Geisinger Student Health Services (SHS): SHS minimizes health-related barriers to learning. The SHS office staff and website provide information and referral to urgent care, primary and specialty care, health insurance and credentialing.

Geisinger Student Psychological Services (SPS): SPS provides students with free and confidential services. This structure provides resources and care coordination across all counseling resources available through Geisinger Commonwealth, both at the Medical Sciences Building and at all regional campus sites. These resources include counselors in SPS, TimelyCare, and referral to local providers. TimelyCare is a digital solution that offers ondemand 24/7 access to mental health and medical care and a diverse, culturally competent provider network. Services include scheduled counseling, health coaching, yoga, meditation and self-care resources.

Center for Student Wellness: The Center develops, implements, and evaluates programs aimed at supporting and enhancing health professions student well-being in partnership with students. The Center collaborates with academic and health system leadership to develop and maintain learning environments that foster the intellectual, social, professional, and personal development of a diverse health professions student population. It also includes the following dedicated spaces: fitness, recreation and relaxation space; multi-cultural center; meditation and prayer room; student government offices; kitchenette; student lounge.

Examples of programs offered through the Center for Student Wellness include Wake Up and Learn and Early Alert. Wake Up and Learn is a sleep education and surveillance program that was developed to improve knowledge, recognition, and time to treatment for sleep wake disorders among students. Early Alert is a comprehensive proactive wellness monitoring tool that checks-in with students weekly and provides information about the array of resources available through Geisinger Commonwealth.

Geisinger Peer Support: Peer Navigators are a student-led group that supports students in addressing academic stress, interpersonal conflicts, imposter syndrome, feelings of isolation and general mental health concerns.

CARE Team: The CARE Team provides support and referral services to students experiencing stress. By partnering with members of the community, the CARE Team strives to promote individual well-being and success while prioritizing community safety.

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA): MHFA is a course designed to give members of the public key skills to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or having a mental health crisis.