Mental Well-Being
Graduate Student Well-Being
Graduate Student Well-being Collective
The Graduate Student Wellness Collective comprises of faculty, staff, and students from UR graduate schools. The Collective’s work centers on improving the well-being of graduate students. Our meetings are open to the public. Collective members volunteer for events, help to promote offerings and resources available on campus for graduate students, and also be able to interact more directly with campus partners to bring changes in resources and practices at the University.
Programming
All of the Health Promotion Office events are open to graduate students. We an offer an array of well-being programming, including: yoga and meditation classes, meditation retreats, Paws for Stress Relief, Destress Fests, sound bath and acupuncture events, Wellness on Wheels, and more.
Campus Well-being Resource Map
The University of Rochester offers a wide range of resources to support your well-being and help you thrive. Explore our Student Support Resource Map below to discover all the available services!
CARE Resource Center
Do you have a concern, but not quite sure where to go for help? Visit the CARE Resource Center! On this website, you are able to browse a large list of concerns, or type in what it is you’re looking for. You will be given a variety of options of on and off campus resources available to you!
Mental Well-Being
The University Counseling Center
All full-time graduate students can set up an initial assessment appointment to discuss the options and create a treatment plan that meets their needs. Contact UCC at 585-275-3113 to make an appointment or to learn more.
- Counseling (short-term individual, couples)
- Same-day appointments & after-hours crisis line
- Self-help resources
- Skills groups & Grad-student specific therapy groups
- Drop-in groups
- TELUS Health Student Support is a global counseling service that can connect students to immediate, 24/7 support available by phone or text
- Referrals (psychiatry, community therapists) in addition to offering short-term counseling and access to a variety of well-being resources
- Consultation services when you’re concerned about another student
Learn more about UCC services.
Do you have other ideas/questions for how UCC can support you? Contact Michael Siembor.
The CARE Network
- The CARE Network is an online referral system to share your concern about yourself, another student, incident, or issue in order for the University to provide connections to resources and support
- Submit a CARE Referral or Report if you have a concern about another student or yourself, and want to get connected to resources through your school
- The CARE Resource Center is available for self-guided access to resource information both on and off campus anytime
- Crisis or emergency concerns should be handled by the the Department of Public Safety (DPS) by calling (585) 275-3333 available 24/7. For urgent mental health concerns, students can call the University Counseling Center (UCC) at (585) 275-3113 also available 24/7
Other Mental Health Resources
- Thriving Campus – Find mental health clinicians in the area
- National Alliance of Mental Illness – Support groups, mental health education, advocacy, and a variety of wellness events
- 2/11 Lifeline – 24/7 support by trained counselors
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Call or text 988
Mindfulness
Mindful University Project
The Mindful University Project is an interdisciplinary collaboration with a mission to empower our campus community to build a culture of mindful presence and compassion.
The work of the Mindful University Project allows our students to improve their mental well-being, boost academic flourishing, increase resiliency to stress, and reduce levels of anxiety and depression. Our goal is to create a safe and inclusive space for all students, staff and faculty to learn and engage in mindfulness through:
- Calming U introductory mindfulness classes
- Daily yoga classes
- Half-day silent retreats
- Sound Bath and Acupuncture Events
- Healing from Within – Chronic Pain Class
- Student Mindfulness Facilitator Trainings
- Educational workshops and faculty and staff training
Buddhist Meditation Group
Join the UR Buddhist Meditation Group via Zoom for weekly sessions on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 to 10:30 AM each day. Each session includes a brief introduction to a mindfulness practice (e.g., loving kindness, body scanning, thought labeling, walking meditation, etc.), the practice itself, and some time to discuss together afterward. Contact Kyle Trenshaw for more information or to be added to the email list. No prior meditation experience is necessary. We look forward to sitting in community with you!
Yoga in the Community
- Tru Yoga: Located at 683 South Ave in the South Wedge accessible from the UR Orange Line Shuttle.
- New Student Special – Two weeks unlimited yoga: $25
- One Drop-in Class: $10-20 sliding scale
- Monthly Membership: $81/month for students
Take a look at Tru Yoga’s Website for more information.
- Yoga Vibe 585: Located at The Village Gate (274 N Goodman St) in Suite A300 accessible from the UR Orange Line Bus Shuttle.
- One Drop-In Class: $15
- Sunday Community Yoga Classes: $8-20 sliding scales
- Class Pack Deals from $25-110 for 3 to 10 classes
Sexual Health
Sex Ed 101
Do you feel like you didn’t learn enough about sexual health before coming to the university or in your time spent here already? Join our online program, Sex Ed 101, to learn all the basics of sexual health. Over the course of 21 days, you will learn about contraception, consent, masturbation, and more! Learn more and join at any time on our website.
Ask the Sexpert
Do you have a burning question about sexual health? Ask the sexpert! Your question and answer will be anonymously posted on our site, as you are probably not the only person wondering about a certain topic! See past submissions and responses on our blog.
Food/Nutrition Resources
UHS Nutrition Services
The University Health Service (UHS) offers nutrition services for student patients. These services are offered by a registered dietitian. Your UHS primary care provider may refer you to the dietitian, or you may choose to schedule an appointment on your own. We recommend checking your insurance coverage before receiving services. To schedule an appointment, call UHS at 585-275-2662!
The Food Pantry
The Food Pantry is dedicated to challenging the rising issue of student food insecurity on campus by supporting and serving all students and postdocs at the University of Rochester. Individuals can browse and choose non-perishable items during the Pantry’s operation hours in 105 Wilson Commons, or pre-order a bag for pick up. Check out their website for more information!
The Rochester Public Market
Looking to get some cheap, nourishing vegetables, fruits, and other food items to keep you fueled as we enter into finals season? Visit the Rochester Public Market from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and 56 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays!
Westside Farmers Market
Head over to the 19th Ward on Tuesdays from June 3rd 6th until October 107th from 4-7 PM to get some affordable and nutritious produce, jams, meats, and more at the Westside Farmers Market! Located at 831 Genesee Street. You can check out a list of their vendors on their website and even sign up to volunteer for them!
South Wedge Farmers Market
Want to visit a farmers market during the week on Thursdays from June 13th to Sept 12th with a lot of local businesses and goods, such as Blue Barn Cidery, Beyond Breads, the Little Brownie, Mark and Amy’s Pickles, and more? The South Wedge Farmers Market is located at 357 Gregory Street in the South Wedge at Odd Fellows Lodge! Take the Orange/Blue line Take the UR Orange Line Shuttle to get there. Visit the South Wedge Farmers Market website for more information.
Sleep
Zzzzs to As Online Sleep Challenge
Our online program provides students with practical tips and strategies to calm the mind for a better night’s sleep. The 21-day challenge includes:
- An online presentation covering the science and physiology of sleep, as well as sleep challenges common to college students.
- Informational emails about sleep & diet, caffeine & alcohol consumption, technology use, and environmental factors that disrupt sleep.
- Relaxation and mindfulness training.
- Simple & practical tips.
- Sleep logs and other helpful tracking tools.
Registration for this online program is open all year and students can begin any time. To sign up, visit our registration page. Upon registration you will receive an email to complete a sleep questionnaire. After that, participants will benefit from motivational quick tips (sent approximately every three days) and educational emails (sent once per week).
Other Sleep Resources
- Discover the Power of Meditation
- Sleep Apps
- F.lux – Decrease blue light on your computer!
- Create the Best Environment for Sleep
- An Overall Sleep Guide
- Healthy Sleep Habits
Financial Well-Being
Graduate Assistantships
Graduate assistantships under the Office for Residential Life and Housing Services are currently open, such as Graduate Head Resident, Graduate House Advisor, Graduate Community Assistant, and more! Check out all the positions and apply on their website.
Scholarship Funding
Looking for some scholarship funding? This is the time of year to apply! Please refer to the University of Rochester’s Financial Aid Outside Scholarship page for a comprehensive list of scholarship engines.
If you have any questions about how an outside scholarship would impact any other component of your financial aid awarding, please connect with your financial aid counselor.
School-Specific Resources
Graduate students in AS&E can reach out to either:
- Marie-Joelle Estrada, associate professor in the Department of Psychology
- Jennifer Brisson, professor in the Department of Biology
Other supports available:
Graduate students and postdocs in SMD can reach out to either:
- Amber Rivera for wellness resources
- Nathan Smith, MS, PhD: Associate Dean for Research Mentorship for mentoring, coaching, and help with interpersonal relationships
Other supports available:
Students at Warner can reach out to Brian Brent, professor and senior associate dean.
Other supports available:
- Warner graduate student resources
- Writing services
- Quantitative consulting (for doctoral students)
Students at Simon can reach out to Jim Newton, assistant dean and HR liaison.
Students, faculty, and staff at SON can reach out to Caroline Nestro, PhD, RN, associate professor of clinical nursing.
Other supports available: