Accessing mental and physical health care on campus can be daunting. Lean on friends and student leaders when you need help – we’ve navigated the system and can help you get what you need! In the meantime, here’s the basics of making Student Health Services (SHS) and Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) work for you:
Counseling and Psychological Services: provides free, confidential mental health care to students at 3624 Market St., 1st Floor West.
- You can call CAPS 24/7 at 215-898-7021 to talk to a clinician, or drop in during office hours if you need to speak with someone immediately.
- Be aware they operate on a short-term care model! However, in severe cases, some students are allowed to stay longer than the average 8 sessions.
- They will attempt to refer you to outside therapist either immediately or after a number of sessions – if you need to stay within the CAPS system, insist on it!
- This includes being unable to afford travel to or copays for an outside therapist, or needing to see the same therapist for insurance purposes.
- You can request a therapist who fits your needs – if you’d like to see a provider of color or one who shares your sexual orientation, mention it as part of what effective care at CAPS would look like for you. However, your request may not be assured.
- CAPS has group therapy options, which can be affinity spaces for marginalized students. Check out Body Love for Women and Femmes of Color or Genesis (transgender/GNC students).
- If you prefer to speak about mental health care with other students, check out mental health student groups on campus! Some are listed toward the end of this guide.
Student Health Services: provides free, confidential medical appointments at their office in Suite 100 of 3535 Market St.
- Most appointments can be scheduled online, which allows you to choose a time and provider with a high degree of privacy.
- There is a Penn Student Health Insurance Plan representative available in person at SHS who can help students with questions about their insurance coverage. You can also reach out to SHS administration to receive help if you have trouble with medical bills or need assistance with health insurance.
- Sexual health services are available in both gynecologic and primary care
- You can get free condoms at the cashier window (as well as other campus locations, such as the Women’s Center or LGBT Center).
- STI testing is covered by the Penn Student Health Insurance Plan (PSIP), so get tested regularly!
- SHS can provide Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) prescriptions, which can help prevent HIV infection.
- If you experience sexual violence, SHS is able to provide care in the aftermath including emergency birth control, STI screening, and information on how to access medications such as PEP (though not forensic kits). Fees for these services are waived.
- If you would like to see a LGBTQ specialist, look up “SHS LGBTQ working group” and request one of them when scheduling an appointment!
- Transgender health care at SHS is comprehensive, and includes hormone replacement therapy and referrals for gender confirmation surgeries.
- Reach out to Penn Non-Cis if you have an questions about accessing transgender care at Penn or want to speak to students who are undergoing care about their experiences!
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