Student Health
What opportunities are available to my Richmond student when it comes to his or her physical health?
Recreation and Wellness offers great ways for students to foster personal development, increase physical and psychological health, and meet others in wellness and recreational activities. The new Weinstein Center for Recreation and Wellness provides a comprehensive facility that includes a two-level fitness and wellness center, three-court gymnasium with an elevated walking and jogging track, two multipurpose rooms, pool, game room, racquetball and squash courts, as well as locker room and sauna facilities. Students have the opportunity to experience a full range of cardio and strength equipment, in addition to a wellness resource center and computer lab. Special screenings, assessments and services are offered to address health and wellness topics. Services often include massage therapy, personal training, cholesterol screenings, blood pressure checks and fitness assessments. The Intramural Sports program offers a wide range of major and minor sports at a variety of skill levels. More than 25 sport clubs provide student leadership opportunities as well as competitive options for students who are not part of the varsity athletic program.
What if a student becomes ill while at the University?
The Student Health Center offers a comprehensive program in health education and health maintenance, as well as treatment for illness and injury. The Health Center staff includes board-certified family practice physicians and registered nurses. Services include acute care for illness and injury and general medical care.
How can I help my Richmond student handle some of the difficult adjustments that come with moving away from home and beginning college?
The Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) Office has prepared a Web site that addresses many of the questions that parents have regarding their child’s adjustments to college and how they can best support them from afar. The site includes sections on academic adjustment, settling in, homesickness, sexual conduct, alcohol and drug abuse, choosing a major, and emotional health. Visit the parent’s Web site created by CAPS for more information.
What kinds of services are offered by the Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) Office?
Parents are often key sources of referrals to CAPS. By knowing more about CAPS and the services we offer, you can encourage your son or daughter to consult with us when a need arises. CAPS offers a wide range of counseling and psychological services to full-time students at the University of Richmond. CAPS services include: short-term psychotherapy, group counseling, crisis intervention, workshops, assessment, consultation, and referral. About 30% of undergraduates use CAPS services one or more times during their four years at the University. Common reasons students come to CAPS include relationship concerns, academic difficulties, stress, anxiety, depression, grief, family issues, traumatic events, eating problems, substance abuse, sleep disturbance, and adjusting to college. However, a CAPS counselor is available to discuss any issue of concern to a student. CAPS maintains a list of off-campus resources in order to refer students when specialized services or longer-term counseling is needed.
Is there an additional charge for CAPS services?
There is no charge for CAPS services. However, off-campus services (e.g., psychiatry, testing) are at the student’s expense. CAPS services are confidential to the full extent allowed by law. For more information about CAPS, please visit our parent's Web site specifically designed to address questions from the parents of our students.
What happens if a student is in a psychological or emotional crisis?
Mental health emergencies that occur during office hours are handled immediately by the CAPS staff. If you believe your son or daughter is in crisis, please call CAPS (804-289-8119) and speak with the Office Manager, Mrs. Cross, about the situation. In the event of an emergency after office hours, contact the University Police office at (804) 289-8911.
What other offices could help my child in a time of crisis or confusion?
Your son or daughter will have numerous places to turn for strong counsel and a helping hand. Beyond the vast scope of CAPS there are several other offices on campus that could be of great help to your son or daughter during a time of crisis including the Richmond College (men) and Westhampton College (women) residential dean’s offices, the Office of the Chaplaincy, and the Student Health Office. The Richmond College and Westhampton College dean’s offices include staff trained in dealing with situations such as eating disorders, sexual abuse and assault, alcohol abuse, and depression. If you are concerned about the physical or mental health of your son or daughter, but the situation does not seem to be a crisis, it is advisable to notify the appropriate residential dean’s office (again, Westhampton College for women or Richmond College for men). These offices serve as a kind of “home away from home” for students and work closely with CAPS and other campus offices to help students through times of difficult transition.
What types of emotional transitions do students tend to experience during their first year of college? As a parent, what might I expect?
Obviously, the first year is a period of adjustment. Students seem to be most concerned with finding their niche socially, handling the academic load, and beginning and maintaining a successful roommate relationship. It is not unusual for a parent to receive a stressful phone call or two regarding issues like these during the first few weeks of college. The best advice is to be supportive with the understanding that these concerns usually work themselves out. Otherwise, consult the resources available on this Web site if you believe your student is facing a problem that stretches beyond routine adjustment issues.