91̽»¨

Athens Student Resource Manual 2023-2024

Emergency/Crisis Help

In a medical emergency when a quick response is needed, call:

• 91̽»¨ Police Department: 740.593.1911 or
• Athens Police Department: 911

OhioHealth Campus Care

740.593.7100, Hudson Health Center, Athens

With skilled providers offering care for an array of acute and chronic illnesses. OhioHealth Campus Care offers treatment options that do not require leaving campus.

Emergency Care -

740.593.5551, 55 Hospital Drive, Athens

Students requiring emergency medical services when OhioHealth Campus Care is closed are directed to the emergency room at the OhioHealth O’Bleness Hospital. Hospitalization of student patients is provided at O’Bleness, southeastern Ohio’s leading health care service provider. They deliver quality care in a safe and compassionate environment. Their medical staff includes specialists who offer a wide range of outpatient services, surgical procedures, treatment options and therapies. They have deep roots in the community and an even deeper commitment to meeting the needs of those they serve.

If an emergency occurs, call the Athens County Emergency Medical Services (via 911). A fee is charged for ACEMS Services.

Counseling and Psychological Services

Students may call 740.593.1616 to schedule an initial appointment or to consult with a counselor.

Three convenient locations on campus:

740.593.1616, 3rd Floor of Hudson Health Center, Athens

Lindley Hall, Suite 052, Athens

740.597.9145, 160 Living Learning Center, Athens

Medical school is stressful for most students. It is normal to feel overwhelmed at times. The increased responsibility to attend to academic demands with the amount of material to learn and time that must be dedicated to studying is substantial. In addition, other aspects of life, such as family, friends and self-care, are just as important to make time for. Sometimes the stress associated with trying to balance medical school with other parts of life leads to psychological distress, which can emerge as anxiety, depression, relational difficulties and burnout, among other concerns. While seeking help through talking with friends and family may be sufficient support to get through more stressful times, many times students need additional, unbiased support. Counseling & Psychological Services (CPS) is available to provide this support at the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine at Athens. Many students who come to CPS are looking to learn how to cope with the demands of medical school more effectively and are working toward finding greater balance and wellbeing in their lives. Others seek counseling to deal with broader life and relationship issues. Whatever the focus, students are encouraged to seek the support they need to be successful.

Hours and Staff

You may connect with mental health services from Counseling & Psychological Services at 91̽»¨ by scheduling an appointment with one of our two embedded psychologists. Appointments can be made by calling the counseling and psychological services number at 740.593.1616. Make sure you identify yourself as a Heritage College student and ask about the Heritage College embedded counselors' availability. Please see location and times below.

Community Mental Health Services

740.592.3091, 90 Hospital Drive, Athens

Hopewell Health Centers provides behavioral health care, including:

Outpatient Counseling Services

Diagnostic assessment, individual, group, family and marital counseling are available as needed. Services are designed to be brief and solution-focused. Their goal is to assist clients in identifying and mobilizing their own coping skills and natural supports, as well as learning new skills and ways of dealing with their environment. The goal of treatment is not solution of problems per se, but rather the enhancement and development of skills to enable the client to engage in effective problem-solving once out of the office. The projected length of treatment for most individuals is six sessions. They recognize, however, that not all situations lend themselves to brief treatment and attempt to provide appropriate and effective, as well as cost-effective, services to all individuals. HHC has counselors who are specially trained to deal with trauma, including physical and sexual abuse. Groups are also available to help clients develop skills in areas such as anger management, abuse recovery, relationships and coping skills.

Crisis Services

Crisis intervention and hospital prescreening services are available face-to-face or by phone (as appropriate) 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Crisis Intervention Team workers evaluate individuals in psychiatric crisis and enable them to receive appropriate services (e.g., hospitalization, crisis residential services, CPST or outpatient counseling). Evaluation sites include agency facilities (during office hours) and local emergency rooms. CIT services can be accessed during work hours through the behavioral health clinic and 24/7 through the crisis services telephone line (1.888.475.8484 or in Athens 740.593.3344).

Psychology and Social Work Clinic

740.593.0902, 002 Porter Hall, Athens, PSWC@ohio.edu

The Psychology and Social Work Clinic at 91̽»¨ offers an array of services to the university community, as well as to the larger community and region. The clinic provides services for children, adolescents and adults of all ages. It provides evidence-based treatments for concerns of depression, anxiety, ADHD, personality disorders, trauma/PTSD, OCD, disordered eating, insomnia, adjustment/transition and more.

Medical Student Assistance Program

The Medical Student Assistance Program (MSAP) is a committee of Heritage College staff and faculty dedicated to identifying, addressing and supporting students who experience impairment due to psychiatric illness, alcoholism and/or substance abuse. The committee is guided by humanitarian concerns and strives to support students and help them return to pre-impairment. MSAP promotes recovery and wellness rather than judgment and blame.

CARE Team

740.593.1800, 345 Baker University Center

91̽»¨ seeks to provide a safe and secure environment within which students can successfully pursue their academic and personal goals. Occasionally, students exhibit behavior or communicate in a fashion that raises concern – for the student’s welfare or for the welfare of others in the community. In order to best respond to such occurrences, the Office of the Dean of Students maintains and coordinates the activities of the CARE Team. The purpose of this committee is to ensure a timely and coordinated university response to students whose behavior is disruptive to others around the student by way of raising alarm, fear or other concern, or reflects a credible potential for harm to self or others.

Student Accessibility Services

740.593.2620, Alden Library, Suite 230, Athens, disabilities@ohio.edu

The mission of Student Accessibility Services is to ensure equal opportunity and access for members of the 91̽»¨ community. Central to this mission is the development of an academic environment that is accessible to all people without the need for adaptation. While working toward the goal of full inclusion, accommodations must still be provided on an individual basis.

Survivor Advocacy Program

740.597.SAFE (7233), Lindley Hall 038

The Survivor Advocacy Program’s mission is to provide confidential support and advocacy services to student survivors of sexual assault, dating/domestic violence and stalking. SAP works to increase student survivors’ access to support and resources through trauma-informed advocacy and empowerment.

University Equity and Civil Rights Compliance

The Office of University Equity and Civil Rights Compliance ensures that the university maintains an employment and educational environment that is free from discrimination and harassment. This office monitors the educational environment and workplace to stop, remediate and prevent discrimination on the basis of protected status. We make policy recommendations, offer training and provide avenues for the resolution of grievances that are based on protected status. This includes discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, ethnicity, national origin, national ancestry, sex, pregnancy, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, military services or veteran status, mental or physical disability or genetic information.

Ombudsperson

740.593.2627, 501 Baker Center

The organizational ombudsperson serves in a unique role within the university by assisting members of the university community with issues internal to 91̽»¨ and in providing a proactive voice regarding issues that are arising throughout its various campuses. The Office of the Ombudsperson is a confidential service open to all students, employees, alumni, parents and community members at 91̽»¨. The overarching mission of this office is twofold: to ensure that every member of the university community receives equitable and fair treatment and due process, and to support and facilitate a positive working and learning environment.

Office of Inclusion

740.593.2209, Heritage Hall 181

The Heritage College Office of Inclusion develops and implements strategies, programs and activities on all three campuses that promote diversity through educational learning experiences and cultural competency training for students, faculty and staff. The Office of Inclusion provides an online Discrimination and Bias Incident Reporting Tool, which is available to report bias or hate-motivated incidents you may witness or experience in our academic community. You can find the link for the online Discrimination and Bias Incident Reporting Tool on the inclusion website.

Financial Emergencies

740.593.2160, Heritage College Student Affairs – Office of Financial Aid, Heritage Hall 283, Athens

The Office of Financial Aid is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., to assist students with financial questions and issues. Students who are experiencing financial crisis are encouraged to contact the Associate Director of Financial Aid, Wes Wilson.

For more information on Athens Student Support Services, please contact Sarah Lawrence.