A basic plan can help you make the most of your appointment, whether starting with a new doctor or continuing with the doctor you’ve seen before. This can help ensure your provider can give you the best and most tailored care possible.
Clinic
Student Health is a certified Medical Home. As such, a variety of services to optimize health are available here.
--Care is available for most acute and chronic health conditions through doctors, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, psychiatrists, the sports medicine team, and a certified dietician. (Referrals to Emergency Department and other specialties can be made for services we cannot provide.)
--Ongoing Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) monitoring and prescribing is offered in the clinic. Referrals for initiation of HRT by an outside provider can be made. Referrals for surgical gender affirmation can be made.
--Health screenings such as blood pressure and weight monitoring, cholesterol, and pap tests can all be done at SHC. Referrals can be made for mammograms, colonoscopy, bone density or other appropriate screenings not available at SHC.
Counseling and Psychological Services
At Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), we are committed to equity and social justice as a core value. Our mental health providers have knowledge, skills, and training offering developmental, evidence-based, culturally competent, affirming care, and services. Individuals in the LGBTQ+ community face unique challenges and may experience prejudice, discrimination, and violence which can lead to stress, depression, anxiety, and tangible costs to their mental health.
At CAPS, whether you want support in your exploration of gender identity, sexual orientation, or wish to process experiences of bias and discrimination, we are here to help and support you. CAPS has providers who offer care in a supportive and affirming way. In addition, CAPS is more than happy to consult and provide outreach programming tailored to the specific needs of our LGBTQ+ community upon request. At CAPS, we seek to foster a community and environment that is safe and inclusive for all students and are fully committed to providing compassionate and high-quality LGBTQ+ affirming services. CAPS also offers a variety of group and individual counseling options, including Transgender/nonbinary weekly group therapy.
Confidential Advising Services
Sexual and intimate partner violence affects every community including LGBTQ+ people. Unfortunately, people who identify as LGBTQ+ experience a higher rate of violence than their straight community members and experience additional barriers like stigma and discrimination, when accessing support following an experience of violence.
Student Health Services is dedicated to eliminating these barriers and providing assistance in a safe and affirming environment. To accomplish this, Student Health Services is home to SIU’s survivor support program called Confidential Advising Services. Confidential Advisors are Safe Zone trainedand are dedicated to providing survivor-centered assistance to all SIU students that have experienced sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking.
Pharmacy
Our pharmacy offers a wide variety of prescription and over-the-counter medications. They work with students to navigate insurance information, minimize costs with student health insurance and offer competitive prices to purchase medications for those with other insurance plans.
The pharmacy also assists with questions related to Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and potential side effects, HIV medication and prevention (PrEP), and sexual health and safety supplies such as condom packs and lubricant.
With any patient, having access to records of prior treatment and testing can be very valuable in helping a provider give optimal care. This is especially true for chronic or ongoing health needs or very serious conditions, past or present. Our Medical Records department can help you get these records, and can be contacted at 618-453-3311.
