Health and Wellness Resources
Student Health Services
Cowell Health Center provides quality, accessible, and convenient medical care to Santa Clara students. The center offers primary medical care, physicals, diagnosis of illness and injuries, immunizations, gynecological examinations, limited in-house pharmacy, and referral to specialists when needed. The Health Services staff includes physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, registered nurses, and medical assistants. In addition, a psychiatrist, registered dietician, and physical therapy assistant are each available part-time.
The Student Health Services charge nominal fees for visits, laboratory work, medications, medical equipment, and other specialized services. Students are seen on an appointment basis and usually can be seen the same day, if an appointment is requested in the morning. The center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday when classes are in session. When the center is closed, an advice nurse is available by phone, and volunteer student emergency medical technicians can visit students on campus. The center is closed from mid-June to mid-August. Services can be accessed via Cowell Health Center (cowellcenter@scu.edu).
All students must carry health insurance, either their plan or the University-sponsored plan. Please call the insurance coordinator at 408-554-2379 for further information.
Counseling and Psychological Services
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) offers mental health services to all students. The mission is to support the developmental growth of students in ways that enable them to become more effective in their personal, academic, and social functioning. Counseling helps students address psychological issues that may affect their successful participation in the learning community. Among the psychosocial and developmental issues that students work on with their counselors are depression, anxiety, interpersonal problems, disturbed sleep or eating behaviors, acculturation, academic motivation, homesickness, family concerns, intimacy, and sexuality. The services are confidential and include individual, couples, group, and psycho-educational programs. Services can be accessed via Cowell Health Center (cowellcenter@scu.edu).
SCU Culture of Care
As a Jesuit institution, one of our leading values is cura personalis, a Latin phrase meaning "care for the whole person." Caring for the personal development of the entire person (emotional, mental, spiritual, physical) is a community effort, including support from families, peers, faculty, and staff. As such, when there are indicators that a student may be struggling, it is essential that the community come together for aid. SCU CARES embodies the University's commitment to supporting our students by helping them find the resources to build resilience and overcome challenges.
Students can access all of the SCU CARE’S resources via their webpage.
Students may use the Office of Student Life Student of Concern form to notify staff if they or a fellow student need support and/or resources. These forms can be submitted confidentially.