Current medical students who are experiencing a mental health emergency, please call 911 or go directly to the Ohio State Emergency Department.
Mental Health and Wellness
The Ohio State University College of Medicine is dedicated to promoting a culture of wellbeing and inclusivity through counseling, consultation, and education. Our goal is to support learners in their pursuit of academic and personal development, empowering them to become successful members of the medical community and beyond.
Personal problems and mental health concerns can get in the way of learners realizing their potential. The Office of Student Life offers several opportunities to seek mental health support and personal wellness through counseling, referrals for psychiatric care, and special programming.
Resources
The College of Medicine employs a licensed professional counselor within the Office of Student Life. The counselor primarily facilitates individual sessions and supports learners on issues including adjustment to medical school, crisis support, anxiety and depression, substance use, grief, and more. The embedded counselor is also a resource for wellness strategies and coordinates referral to outside treatment providers when necessary.
Learners who wish to schedule an appointment may contact the embedded counselor through the information provided on the Our People page.
Confidentiality: Information you discuss in clinical sessions is confidential and will not be shared with anyone other than your counselor and their clinical supervisor without your written permission. There are some legal and ethical exceptions to confidentiality, and these are explained in the Notice of Privacy Practices. We adhere to professional, legal, and ethical guidelines established by professional organizations, state, and federal law. If you have questions about these practices, please ask us at any time. If you are under 18 years of age, please inform your therapist, as additional limits of confidentiality may apply.
The College of Medicine contracts with the Wexner Medical Center’s Harding Hospital to provide psychological and psychiatric services for medical students at no cost to them. Learners may choose to start with the College’s embedded counselor first and then be referred to Harding if appropriate, or they can set up services with Harding Hospital directly.
In person or virtual appointments are available. Learners who wish to set up services may contact the embedded counselor or go to the Student Life section of Vitals to access a list of Medical Student Mental Health resources with information regarding how to access care.
Psychiatric providers who see medical students do not have a supervisory or evaluative role in medical education.
In addition to our mental health services, the Office of Student Life coordinates wellness initiatives and events to support our students’ overall well-being. These initiatives and events include:
- After-Evaluation Pop-Up Events (with treats)
- Care Bags for United States Licensing Medical Examination (USMLE) Step 1 Dedicated Study (second-year learners)
- Mindfulness and Test Anxiety Presentations
- Peak Focus Project: resources and strategies for managing distractions and harnessing your attention in the digital age.
- Resource Meetings for Special Populations
- Community Track Program (CMT)
- Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP-MD/PHD)
- Pre-Orientation Meetings for incoming learners, including those in MedPath Program
- Primary Care Track Program (PCT)
- Social wellness programs, including:
- “Finish Strong”: end-of-semester event for first-year learners heading into their final exams
- “Rings & Things”: mid-semester event for third-year students on rotations (a.k.a. Rings)
- “Time Out Tuesdays”: weekly gatherings for second-year students during their dedicated study period for the United States Licensing Medical Examination (USMLE) Step 1 Exam.
Various resources are available to leaners through the following University offices:
Counseling and Consultation Services
Counseling and consultation services are provided through the Younkin Success Center, through which enrolled students can receive mental health services through individual and/or group sessions, workshops, wellness apps, and more. There is no charge for enrolled students.
SARNCO (Sexual Assault Response Network of Central Ohio) Campus Advocate
24 Hour Sexual Assault Helpline: 614-267-7020
SARNCO’s campus advocacy coordinators offer confidential support for survivors of sexual violence for The Ohio State University community (students, staff, faculty, and visitors) Services include confidential reporting, safety planning, crisis response, information about options, and referrals to other local resources. SARNCO advocates do not provide counseling, legal services, legal advice, or case management – but can connect you to options for those services.
Student Health Services
The Wilce Student Health Center, Student Life Student Health Services (SLSHS), at The Ohio State University is a Joint Commission accredited outpatient facility providing a variety of health care services to the student population. All students enrolled at the Ohio State University are eligible to use SLSHS, regardless of health insurance coverage.
Student Wellness Center
The Student Wellness Center serves as a resource for information on various health issues, provides programs and services to individuals and groups, and contributes to the development of a more healthy and caring campus community. The Student Wellness Center complements and supports the academic mission of the university by assisting students in obtaining optimal levels of health, growth, and well-being. The Student Wellness Center promotes the 9 dimensions of wellness including: Emotional, Career, Social, Spiritual, Physical, Financial, Intellectual, Aesthetic and Environmental.
Health and Wellness Coach
Learn practical well-being skills to help you thrive throughout the block and throughout your life from a caring community of experts and peers! You can receive personalized health and wellness coaching from specially trained OSU providers.