Health Services for MFA Students
Health Services for MFA Students URIT Seth LandmanMost students are insured through the Student Health Benefit Plan (SHBP), administered by UMass University Health Services. Eligible GEO members receive an exemption of 95% of the plan rates for the Individual SHBP and Individual Graduate Student Health Fee. In general, if you are working at least 10 hours a week for two semesters or 20 hours a week for one semester in a GEO-eligible position (e.g. Teaching Associateship), you’ll be eligible for waivers for the entire plan year. Detailed information on cost, coverage, and eligibility can be found on the GEO website.
The easiest way to see a doctor is to go to University Health Services on campus. UHS offers an array of services that are included through the Cigna graduate health plan. Hop over to UHS for free acupuncture (with student favorite, Jack Radner!). Get free contacts and glasses every year! Get a pap smear at the Women’s Health Center! UHS is by-appointment only. Call the appointment line at 413 -577-5101 and someone will schedule you with the doctor, nurse practitioner or physician assistant appropriate to your needs.
Urgent care is the exception to the appointment-only rule. One may simply come to the Urgent Care clinic and sit in the waiting room. You can also call ahead to make an appointment at 413-577-5101. If you simply want to talk to a triage nurse about your illness or injury, you can do that as well, just dial 413-577-5229. Clinic hours are from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. The Urgent Care clinic is open 24 hours a day during the semester.
24-Hour Crisis Hotline
413-545-0800
888-337-0800 (Local Long Distance)
413-577-0940 (TTY)
MA Relay 771
Llamanos
1-800-223-5001
Spanish Speaking Rape Crisis Counselors, M–F, 11am–5pm
Mental Health
Mental Health URIT Seth LandmanMental health is also covered under the Mandatory Student Health Fee for six visits per semester. The Center for Counseling and Psychological Health, located on the 2nd floor of Bartlett Hall, has a staff of psychologists, social workers, and psychiatrists to provide crisis intervention and short-term psychotherapy to individuals, families, and groups (family and couples counseling is also available). The Mandatory Student Health Fee also covers referrals by UHS to other therapists in the area.
To request services, call 413-545-2337, Monday through Friday between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM, and a senior clinician will help match you to the service appropriate to your needs.
Twenty-four-hour emergency mental health is available every day of the year. For mental health emergencies, call 413-545-2337 between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM on weekdays and ask for an “on-call” clinician. After 5:00 PM and on weekends and holidays, call 413-577-5000 or go directly to UHS.
Center for Women and Community
Center for Women and Community URIT Seth LandmanThe Center for Women and Community is an on-campus resource. They offer a plethora of support groups (group for mothers of young children, women in academia, survivors of sexual violence) and services. CWC offers counseling and rape crisis services on a walk-in (M-F 9am-4pm, 180 Infirmary Way, New Africa House) and appointment basis. One need not identify as a woman to use these resources. CWC has some of the most supportive and knowledgeable advocates on campus and can refer clients to other services and groups in the Pioneer Valley area. All services at CWC are free and confidential. Their phone number is 413-545-0883. Their 24-Hour Rape Crisis Hotline is 413-545-0800. The Hampshire County Toll-Free Rape Crisis Hotline is 1-888-337-0800.
Other Campus Resources
Other Campus Resources URIT Seth Landman(413) 545-2684, 227 Whitmore Administration Building
- Supporting a student in hardship, crisis, or trauma
- Primary contact for parents/family members in times of crisis or emergencies
- Managing difficult classroom situations
- Report a Student Code of Conduct incident
413-545-0867, 823 Campus Center, @email
- Third-party facilitation and informal mediation services
Center for Counseling and Psychological Health (CCPH)
(413) 545-2337, Middlesex House
Evening/Weekend/Holiday/Emergency Access: 1-877-831-7421
- Crisis intervention, including 24/7 emergency on-call services
- Situation assessment consultation
- Online resources
(413) 545-0041, 123 Tobin
- Free initial consultation and sliding-scale psychotherapy services for adults, children and families
Faculty and Staff Assistance Program
(413) 545-0350, 219 Hampshire House
- Strategies for dealing with problematic students
- Resources for managing stress and other reactions to challenging situations
(413) 545-3464, 225 Bartlett Hall
- Advice and consultation on matters pertaining to harassment and discrimination
UMass Single Stop Resources: Food Insecurity
- Information about campus and local food pantries
Community Resources
Community Resources URIT Seth LandmanTapestry Health is a non-university affiliated sliding scale clinic offering STD testing and family planning services. The phone number is 413-548-9992.
Cooley Dickinson Hospital is the closest hospital to the program located in Northampton at 30 Locust St. The phone number is 413-582-2000.
Safe Passage offers support for survivors of domestic violence. Their hotline is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week: 413-586-5066, or toll-free at 888-345-5282. Safe Passage also runs an emergency shelter and advocates are available for medical, housing, and educational issues. Individual and group counseling are also offered.