The 2020 Fall semester is, undoubtedly, shaping up to be one of the most difficult in memory.
The specter of COVID-19 looms large over UTM’s administration, and it seems unlikely even under the best circumstances that measures taken to prevent the spread of the disease will prove 100% effective. For students staying on campus, the situation may be especially precarious. Given the nature and extent of the threat to students, some may want to become familiar with the resources available on campus for medical aid.
Student Health and Counseling is a division of the Office of Student Affairs that offers aid to students struggling with mental or physical health issues. They also provide education in regard to physical and mental health issues. Due to COVID-19, however, practices and policies have changed accordingly. It is important to note that Student Health and Counseling is not just for Coronavirus-related health issues. They offer services for any students with mental or physical health needs that may impact their performance at UTM.
Student Health is not a hospital. In the event of a medical emergency, students are advised to seek treatment at the nearest medical facility.
Students can seek help from Student Health in receiving treatment for acute illnesses such as fever, sore throat, and cough or more generalized systems such as headache and fatigue. Students are not charged for office visits, but may receive a charge for any lab work done. Students with authorization from a primary care physician may receive allergy shots through SHCS. Students can receive a wide range of women’s health services such as cancer screenings and gynecological care as well as some forms of contraception. SHCS can provide a range of STD testing, treatment, and prevention measures. SHCS can also refer students to an off-campus provider if they feel their medical needs would be better met.
As the name implies, SHCS can also procure mental health and counseling services for students.
Due to social distancing restrictions, students’ mental health is also a concern for Student Health and Counseling Services. A sedentary and isolated lifestyle brought on by travel and social restrictions can be just as damaging to mental health as it is to physical health. In addition to their usual services, SHCS has established a 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Helpline. Any student experiencing mental or emotional health issues including (but not limited to) thoughts of suicide should contact 731-881-7743.
You can find more detailed information about Student Health and Counseling and the services they provide at www.utm.edu/departments/shcs.
The spread of COVID-19 on campus poses a significant medical risk to students. As of August 10, 2020, SHCS has implemented these policies in the event a student on campus contracts or believes themselves to have contracted Coronavirus:
Student Health will test students who are symptomatic or who have been in close contact with a person confirmed to have contracted COVID-19. SHCS, working with the Weakley County Department of Health, will conduct contact tracing on students who test positive, including any classes that student was in, and evaluate whether or not a peer needs to be quarantined on a case by case basis.
Instructors will be notified when a student in one of their classes tests positive, however, the names of positive cases will not be released without the approval of that student.
Student Health is collecting data on COVID-19 cases on campus and transmitting that information to the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, but such information is not made available to the public.
Students may contact Student Health and Counseling by phone or email. For general questions, they can be reached at the email address shcs@utm.edu. If a student has an urgent need to contact Student Health or wants to set up an appointment, they can be reached at the phone number (731) 881-7750. Student Health also recommends students call this number before attempting a walk-in to assist with social distancing. Normal hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday through Friday.
For questions about immunization records and compliance, call (731) 881-7721. For questions about medical records, call (731) 881-7724. Students may also make walk-in appointments for first-time assistance with mental health issues Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
