Support and Resources

Graduate School is challenging! You will likely work harder than you ever have at your studies. You will be asked to stretch yourself intellectually and accomplish things you may have never done before. You will make discoveries not only about the world around you, but also about yourself as a person and a scholar. Penn State is here to support you on this journey. Our hope is that every student completes their degree with a strong sense of accomplishment and that their time as a Penn State student helps them find their way in the world.

If, or when, times get tough, remember that you are not alone! In this section, we cover different ways you can find support at Penn State whether through resources, campus communities, or other stress releases like recreation (yes, you can have fun as a grad student!).

 

Student Care and Advocacy

Life outside of the lab, library, or classroom and the accompanying challenges don’t get put on hold while you are in graduate school. The Office of Student Care and Advocacy is here to help if you find yourself in a situation that is pushing you beyond your resources. Student Care and Advocacy can provide support when students encounter unexpected events and challenges such as the following:

  • Hospitalization
  • Medical emergencies or long-term illness
  • Mental health concerns
  • Chronic conditions
  • Death of an immediate family member
  • Food insecurity
  • Housing insecurity
  • Natural disasters
  • Academic distress
  • Allegations of misconduct

The purpose of Student Care and Advocacy is to empower students to overcome obstacles to their growth both inside and outside the classroom. They help students connect with resources within the Penn State community and beyond.  Student Care and Advocacy encourages students to maximize their educational experience and prepares them for involvement in the larger community and for life beyond college.
Students can connect with a member of the SCA team or refer a peer by completing the Share a Concern Form Links to an external site. or Basic Needs Request Form Links to an external site..  More information is available on the SCA website: https://studentaffairs.psu.edu/studentcare.

 

Gender Equity Center

Penn State’s Gender Equity Center (GenEq) supports students who have been impacted by sexual violence, relationship violence, stalking, harassment, and other campus climate issues. GenEq staff provide education, advocacy, referrals, and crisis intervention/support counseling. All services are free and confidential.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, sexual harassment, dating or relationship violence, stalking, or sexual exploitation, Penn State is committed to giving you the help and support you deserve. No matter the circumstances, you are not to blame. Give yourself permission to do what you need to do to take care of yourself. You are entitled to receive the full range of resources and support services Penn State has to offer including academic, employment, and housing accommodations, medical care, emotional support, and advocacy services.

To view the full range of resources and support available to you, visit the Gender Equity website Links to an external site..

 

Counseling and Psychological Services

Counseling & Psychological Services Links to an external site., or CAPS, is here to help students address the psychological needs and personal concerns that may interfere with their academic progress, social development, and emotional wellbeing. The staff at CAPS includes psychologists, psychiatric providers, professional counselors, social workers, and graduate trainees who can assist you with group and individual counseling, crisis intervention, and psychological and psychiatric evaluations.

CAPS provides a wide range of virtual services Links to an external site. including tele-counseling (provided eligibility Links to an external site. requirements are met), virtual drop-in sessions called CAPS Chats, online skills clinics that offer group counseling focused on specific topics, and self-guided wellness resources including the WellTrack Boost app Links to an external site., and CAPS videos Links to an external site..

CAPS is a short-term counseling center. If you need or are interested in a longer-term therapy relationship, are not eligible for tele-counseling at CAPS, or tele-counseling is not recommended, CAPS can help you to access their web-based community provider locator and advise you about setting up services in the community.

 

Student Disability Resources

The Fox Graduate School is committed to providing a welcoming, encouraging, and empowering environment for all graduate students, including those with disabilities.  We partner with Student Disability Resources to ensure equal access for students with disabilities. Each Penn State campus has a disability services office that provides accommodations and services for students with disabilities.

Visit the Student Disability Resource website Links to an external site. to:

  • request and maintain disability-related documents.
  • certify eligibility for services.
  • determine and develop plans for reasonable accommodations such as academic adjustments, auxiliary aids, and/or services.

We encourage all graduate students with a disability to register with the Disability Resource office on their campus. Because graduate education can differ significantly from undergraduate education, Penn State's disability specialists can work with you and your graduate program, with your permission, to help develop reasonable accommodations to assist you in attaining your academic goals.

 

Health Promotion and Wellness (HPW)

Penn State Health Promotion and Wellness Links to an external site. works to cultivate a community that supports student success, well-being and the pursuit of lifelong health.

Free individual services

HPW offers the following free, individual services Links to an external site. for graduate students. You can schedule an appointment through MyUHS Links to an external site., emailing promotinghealth@psu.edu, or by calling 814-863-0461.  You can also learn more about their services on the Health Promotion and Wellness website.

  • Nutrition Clinic
    • You will meet with a registered dietitian to explore healthy eating as well as any other nutrition-related concerns you may have.
  • Wellness Services       
    • Topics include healthy eating, healthy relationships/sexual health, the mind-body connection, sleep, and stress.  To schedule, email promotinghealth@psu.edu or call 814-863-0461.  You should request that you want to meet with a staff member.
  • Nicotine Cessation
  • Problem Gambling
  • Alcohol education and support
  • Marijuana education and support

Programs and Events

HPW offers a wide range of wellness programming and events throughout the academic year such as yoga & meditation, Shinrin-Yoku (the Japanese practice of taking a guided walk in the forest) and Well-being Wednesdays.  For more information, visit the HPW events page. 

Staff can also conduct a workshop for your group on topics such as stress management, sleep and mindfulness.  For a full list of topics and the form to make a request, click here.

Quiet Study Space

Looking for a quiet study space on campus? HPW has two spaces that are designated as quiet study space:  1) Flourish Penn State suite in 102 HUB; and 2) The Relaxation Room in the Wellness Suite in 20 IM Building.  Both spaces feature biofeedback software, light therapy boxes, and other interactive mindfulness tools. The space is open Monday – Friday, 8 am to 5 pm.