UMass Boston’s own University Health Services has a newsletter! Aptly named The Checkup, the newsletter keeps students informed of fun events, unique resources, health news, health tips and other health happenings.
As long as students are signed up for The Checkup, they will receive it periodically in their email inbox. The newsletter includes links to UHS’ social media, hours of operation, location and how to contact university wellness services. All of this information can also be found on UHS’ website.
Occasional events are hosted by UHS, and students who want to know more about these can also find them on UHS’ organization page on UMBeinvolved. Examples of past events include fairs on sexual health and domestic violence prevention, trivia game nights and de-stressing by making slime or gel bead air fresheners.
One of the services operated by UHS is the Counseling Center, where all enrolled UMass Boston students, regardless of insurance, are eligible for the following individual services at no charge:
“A consultation to determine treatment needs and options, brief and focused individual therapy, emergency/crisis intervention, assistance with accessing care off-campus, outreach events, groups and workshops, medication evaluations and educational materials.” [1]
The Counseling Center groups include Rising Tides for students who will soon be graduating, the Affinity Space for Asian and Asian American Students, and the STEM Support Group, among others. [2]
In each issue, The Checkup also introduces students to a member of the UHS team in a section titled “Meet the Staff.” Students can learn about that staff member’s favorite animal, professional interests, what they look forward to most in the semester, their go-to self-care habit, a fun fact people don’t know about them and their favorite spot on campus.
For example, in the first edition of The Checkup, students were introduced to Erica Moses, the assistant director of general medicine and nurse practitioner at UMass Boston. Her favorite animal is river otters, her go-to self-care habits are sleep and exercise, her favorite movie to watch at Christmas is “Little Women” and her favorite spot is the Harborwalk.
Moses’ professional interests are reproductive health, wellness and chronic disease management. She looks forward to whenever she can see UMass Boston’s comfort dog, Beacon, around campus.
In other sections, the UHS newsletter features insight and advice from staff, like the “Clinician’s Corner.” Topics include such things as emotional wellbeing and why therapy and counseling are a good way to explore feelings in a safe environment.
The Checkup is always looking for new topics to explore, and students can email [email protected] with issues they would like to be addressed. UHS staff are also willing to answer questions relating to equitable access to healthcare.
Local news pertains to what diseases to look out for in the community, how to prepare against them and foods to eat during the season. Important updates, like from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, are mentioned as well.
Finally, in each issue, there is a “Community Spotlight” to showcase community resources and organizations. In the first edition of The Checkup, the organization that was featured was “The Network/La Red.” The Network/La Red is a survivor-led, social justice organization that works to end partner abuse in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, kink, polyamorous and queer communities.
Overall, The Checkup is a great way to stay informed of campus and nationwide news and to get guidance on health topics or knowledge of resources both on UMass Boston and elsewhere.
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