University Wellness Services
University Wellness Services, operating out of the Wellness Center, is the hub for all campus wellness activities and encompasses outpatient Clinical services, individual and group Counseling services, and Wellness Education and Prevention services. While remaining committed to quality outpatient care, Wellness Services focuses on wellness not only as prevention of disease, but as a philosophy of life. This philosophy emphasizes self-responsibility and taking an active role in maintaining one’s health with the assumption that true health must consider the individual as an integration of mind, body, and spirit through considering social, emotional, spiritual, intellectual, occupational, environmental, financial, and physical wellness. Please visit the University Wellness Services website at www.nwmissouri.edu/wellness.
Clinic Services
Wellness Services provides clinical health services to full- and part-time students. In the fall and spring semesters, outpatient clinical services are offered between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Wellness Services will bill all insurance plans (except out-of-state Medicaid) for clinic services provided to Northwest students. Students will be financially responsible for lab, procedure, and injection charges not covered by insurance, as well as medications prescribed by our providers. Students without insurance will be responsible for the entirety of these lab, procedure, injection, and medication costs. The designated wellness fee paid by Northwest students covers the costs of copays and Office Visit Charges not covered by Insurance, making Wellness Services the most affordable and convenient healthcare provider for Northwest students.
Prior to enrollment, students must comply with certain health requirements to protect the health and safety of the Northwest community including:
- Completion of a Health History Form (required for all students).
- MMR Immunization. All Northwest students born during or after 1957 must show proof of immunization against Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR). Students who do not show proof of MMR immunization will have a hold placed on registration for classes in the next semester. The following students are exempted from this requirement: Online-only students; Dual Enrollment Students.
- Meningococcal Vaccination. Per Missouri State Law, all students who reside in on-campus housing, or in Greek Life chapter houses, must provide proof that they have received the Meningococcal Conjugate (MCV4) Vaccine, after the age of 16 and within 5 years of initial enrollment. Students will not be allowed to live on campus if this requirement is not met. For more information, please review Wellness Services' Health History Form.
- Tuberculosis Screening (a series of questions) is required of all first-time students at Northwest Missouri State University. This screening is found on the Health History form that is given to all first-time Northwest students.
- Tuberculosis Testing is required for first-time students who: are born in a country with high incidence of TB based on CDC guidelines; who have spent more than three continuous weeks outside the United States in a country with high incidence of TB; and/or have a known exposure to TB. Contact Wellness Services at 660-562-1348, or by email at health@nwmissouri.edu with any questions you may have.
Counseling Services
Wellness Services is committed to the personal development and success of all Northwest students. Wellness Services provides counseling services that are a vital resource to help students reach their full potential. Students use these services to improve the way they live, learn, and grow. Wellness Services offers brief individual counseling to students, focusing on a wide variety of student concerns and offering guidance on managing issues such as anxiety, depression, and self-esteem. In addition, the following services are provided to the campus community: workshops, guest lectures, referral services, consultations, training and crisis intervention. Counseling services and outreach are provided by a staff of licensed mental health professionals to help students get the most out of their college experience.
Wellness Education and Prevention
This area of Wellness Services focuses on the overall wellness of our students. We help students realize they can make responsible and educated choices about their health and wellness by providing programming and presentations about all aspects of wellness. Wellness Education and Prevention staff play a vital role in campus compliance initiatives involving alcohol and other drugs, Title IX, Clery Act, and suicide prevention.
Peer Education
Bearcat Peer Education is a premier leadership opportunity within University Wellness Services that utilizes the expertise of students who are trained to provide educational programs and outreach on various wellness topics. Their mission is to provide an effective peer network to encourage, support, and promote healthy living for all students. We have three student organizations within Bearcat Peer Education: Active Minds (a mental health advocacy group), It's On Us (education and prevention of sexual and relationship violence) and the Student Wellness Advisory Council (a group that works to advise and help direct Wellness Services and the programs and services provided to students). For more information about becoming a Peer Educator, email health@nwmissouri.edu.