Medical clinic — physicians and nurse practitioners treat illness and injury along with a team that includes nurses, a dietician, medical assistants, and laboratory technologists.

Counseling center — counselors, psychologists, and psychiatrists provide brief psychotherapy, crisis management and psychiatric evaluation and care.

Health promotion resource — health educators work with Peer Health Advocates (fellow students) and other campus partners to promote healthy lifestyle choices and a healthier campus community for all of us.

Office Hours are:
8:00 am- 4:45 pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
9:00 am – 4:45 pm Friday

Call 414-229-7429 for general information and appointments

Business FAX number: (414) 229-6608
Medical Record FAX number (414) 229-4161
Wisconsin Relay Service TDD 1- 800-967-6644

We prefer that you make an appointment in order to reduce your waiting time .
For a medical concern we have limited same day urgent care availability.

The Health center does administer the allergy shots. The cost is $10.00 per injection. However, the health center does not do allergy testing nor prescribe treatment. Therefore students must bring their own medication from their private doctor. It is stored in the Health center and appointments are made for the nurse to administer the allergy shots.

If Student Health and Wellness Center is closed, you need to visit a facility specified by your health insurance plan. You are responsible for services obtained outside of the Center. It is a good idea to carry a copy of your insurance card with you in case of emergencies.

If you are covered by your parent’s or spouse’s insurance plan, contact your insurance company to determine where to seek care.

In a life threatening emergency, call 911.

To be eligible to use Student Health and Wellness Center you must be currently enrolled for a class credit at UWM and pay the student segregated fee. You need a valid Student ID Card. Fees are charged for some services, such as outside laboratory tests, pharmacy prescriptions and injections. A summer fee is charged for students not enrolled during the summer. There are no services provided for spouses, family or domestic partners.

For the most part, the services available are prepaid as part of tuition and fees. This includes your primary care, counseling, psychiatry visits. Laboratory services, medication dispensed through our dispensary, immunizations, and procedures are available for a fee.  You are not required to have health insurance to use our health center however we are able to provide you with a receipt through our patient portal for you to submit to insurance or a healthcare reimbursement account. Any care provided outside of our facilities including hospital inpatient, emergency room, or immediate and after-hours care treatment can be costly. If you have insurance familiarize yourself with its terms and limits.

Commuter students are welcome to use the health center. Please call to schedule an appointment.

The Health Center does not require that immunization records be submitted when admitted to UWM. When a student is seen in the health center they complete a history form.

Norris Health Center does not do any third party billing. Students may take receipts from a health center visit and submit to their private insurance.

In order to have your records released to an outside agency, we must have your written consent. Please complete and submit the appropriate form below. If you have any questions, please call us, 414-229-7429.

Disclosure for the Release Protected Health Information for medical records.

Disclosure for the Release Protected Health Information for mental health records.

Colds and the flu can be very hard to tell apart. The symptoms of a cold usually come on gradually. The most common cold symptoms include a run-down feeling, scratch throat, watery eyes, runny nose and sneezes.

You may have a dry cough or headache, but fever in adults with a cold is rare. Colds seldom develop into more serious problems, but they sure can make life uncomfortable. Cold symptoms usually last about 10-14 days, the length of time it takes your immune system to fight the virus.

Flu symptoms often appear suddenly. The flu often begins like a cold, with a runny nose and a general run-down feeling, but more severe symptoms such as fever, body ache, headache, dry cough, sore throat, weakness or loss of appetite develop abruptly in 1-2 days. The flu usually lasts 7-10 days, but you may not feel completely recovered for up to 2-3 weeks.

See more information on the CDC’s Cold Versus Flu page.

Remember that most cold and flu viruses are transferred from the fingertips to the eyes, nose or mouth where they can enter your body. Washing your hands frequently in soap and warm water is probably the most effective way to keep cold and flu viruses out of your body.

Try to avoid putting your fingers to your nose or eyes, especially if you have been around people with colds or the flu.

Avoid sharing objects (pencils, towels, telephones, etc.) or beverages with people who have colds or the flu.

Maintain healthy habits (such as adequate rest, good nutrition and daily exercise) that contribute to good general health and well-being.

The flu vaccine is recommended as a way to prevent the flu, especially for people who are at high risk for developing serious complications-such as the elderly and people with lung disease, heart disease, or another chronic illness.

The vaccine is also recommended for individuals who work in health care facilities and are exposed to respiratory illness repeatedly.

The flu shot contains a weakened version of the influenza virus and prepares your body to fight this year’s influenza virus only. If you have a flu shot, you will be partially or completely immune to the flu, but you will still have no protection against colds.

For more information on the influenza vaccine see the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Key Facts About the Seasonal Flu Vaccine information page.

Call 414-229-4716 and talk to the phone triage nurse when you develop a cold or flu, or call to make an appointment if any of the following apply to you:

1. You have bronchitis, emphysema, asthma, heart disease, or any other chronic condition that is worsened by the cold or flu.
2. You have a temperature of 102 or higher, and the fever has been present more than three days.
3. You have white spots on your tonsils, the gland is your neck are swollen, and you do not have a cough. Or, if there has been a recent known exposure to strep throat.
4. Your neck feels sore or stiff.
5. You have pain along the side(s) of the chest or shortness of breath. (mid chest pain is common in colds and flu and can be treated with humidity.).
6. You have pain over the cheekbone or above theyeyes, and you are blowing dark green mucus from the nose.
7. You have severe ear pain.
8. You note a change in mental status such as confusion, slow thinking, or excessive sleepiness.
9. You have a cough that lasts a week longer than other symptoms, or you are coughing up bloody or dark green mucus.

Antibiotics kill or stop the growth of bacterial, but they have no effect on viruses such as colds or the flu. Antibiotics should only be used against bacterially caused illnesses like strep throat, bacterial pneumonia, and bacterial skin infections. There are many other reasons to avoid taking antibiotics unless it is necessary:

Side effects.
Your body contains both harmful and helpful bacteria. The helpful bacteria keep harmful organisms under control. Unfortunately, antibiotics don’t know the difference between harmful and helpful bacteria; they kill them all, permitting other illnesses or side effects to occur. Yeast infections and diarrhea are two of the possible side effects of taking antibiotics.

Drug-resistant bacteria
Bacterial become resistant to antibiotics after they have been exposed to them often enough. When you take an antibiotic, the organisms it affects struggle to survive. After repeated courses of antibiotic therapy, these organisms may successfully change their structure so that the antibiotic may no longer be effective.

Allergic reactions
Antibiotics sometimes cause allergic or toxic reactions that may be uncomfortable or even dangerous. People with allergies to antibiotics may develop rashes, hives, and in rare instances, may even die.

Unfortunately, doctors really can’t do anything for most cases of a cold or flu. However, you can usually take care of a cold or the flu without a doctor’s assistance. Often, simple home remedies can ease uncomfortable cold or flu symptoms. If you feel you need some kind of medicine, over-the-counter medications are usually adequate.

In order to assist the maximum number of students who seek Counseling Services, treatment is offered in a variety of short-term models. While there are currently no session limits on group counseling opportunities, individual and relationship counseling services have session limits per calendar year. Currently, this translates to up to about three months of weekly therapy. Many students are able to achieve their goals in much less time and Counseling Services will always provide support and referral to those students whose needs may be best addressed by a community provider or those transitioning out of Counseling Services.

• Counseling Services does not provide any mandated services or those that may require either court testimony and/or letters or reports to be filed with any legal entities. We do not provide services where litigation is either involved or pending.
• We do not provide evaluation-only services or comprehensive psychological testing services, including testing for ADHD or learning disabilities. Neuropsychological testing can be pursued on campus through the UWM Psychology Clinic.
• We are not able to provide documentation for emotional support animals.

In certain circumstances, appeal/attendance letters can be provided, when warranted, for those who are receiving ongoing psychological or psychiatric treatment from Counseling Services. The determination of whether documentation is provided is completed on a case by case basis. If you believe you may need an appeal letter of some kind:

• Talk to your academic advisor to find out if your department/program permits the type of appeal you are seeking.
• Learn what you must do to start the appeal process. Your advisor will likely explore the basis for your appeal and may suggest that you contact Counseling Services provider with whom you are already working.

There are several national programs that the Health Promotion Department provides. There are National Screening days for eating disorders, alcohol abuse and depression. The American College Health Association http://www.acha.org/
is the voice of College Health and provides ideas and data for the direction of Health promotion for college students. Another origanization that provides guidance for college health is the Bacchus and Gamma http://bacchusgamma.org/. The Peer Education Network has programs , ideas and resources for awareness programs. If you are interested in a program with Norris Health Center, call 229-4716 and ask to speak to a health educator.

The Norris Health Staff provides a “personal profile”of alcohol use. Download further information about the BASICS program

The Health Educators provide programs including, but not limited to the following topics:
Sexual Health, HIV/AIDS, Stress management, Tobacco cessation, Wellness, Nutrition and Birth Control Options

Programs can be provided by the health educators and the Peer Health Advocates. You need to call two weeks before the program or presentation. You can call the main number at 229-4716. Programs are free of charge.

The health educators see students on an individual basis to assess and provide guidance regarding nutrition practices. The teaching includes guidance regarding weight management, diagnosis related nutrition practices and general eating practices. There is a dietician on a limited basis. Internal referrals are required to see the Dietician.

The Health Promotion Department has handouts and literature on a variety of topics. If you would like to speak with a health educator about a topic or presentation and need materials, please call Colleen Bernstein RN at 229-6668.

There is no fee to see a Health Educator. Link to Cost, Link to Eligibility

HIV screening is provided at the Student Health and Wellness Center for a fee of $15.00 Please call 229-4716 and make an appointment for the test. A medical provider or a health educator can provide the assessment for the screening.

Students work within the Health Promotion and Wellness department administratively and as part of our outreach and training teams. Some students have worked with the department as part of their internship program, Capstone experience, or service learning experience.

The Health educators and Peer health Advocates provide programs and outreach in a variety of settings including booths, classes,union and university housing.

Let’s Talk serves as an informal consultation on general issues, questions or concerns connected to mental health. In contrast, counseling at UCS is an ongoing service for students that involves an initial assessment interview and ongoing treatment of goal areas identified the student and counselor. Ongoing therapy usually consists of regularly scheduled 50-minute appointments.

Your “Let’s Talk” counselor can help you determine whether formal counseling at UCS would be useful for you and, if appropriate, assist you in scheduling an initial appointment.

Let’s Talk is open to all UWM students. Let’s Talk is the best fit for:

• Students who are not sure about counseling and wonder what it’s like to talk with a counselor.
• Students who are not interested in ongoing counseling but would like the perspective of a counselor.
• Students who have a specific problem and would like someone with whom to talk it through.
• Students who have a concern about a friend and want some ideas about what next steps to take.

Let’s Talk consultations are entirely confidential with the same exceptions as in individual counseling. These exceptions include if you were to disclose threat of imminent harm to yourself or someone else or if you were to describe ongoing child or elderly abuse. Anonymous information is collected about attendance so that we can keep track of the number of students we are serving. Let’s Talk visits are never reported on a student’s official university record.

If you have any additional questions or unique requests regarding Let’s Talk consultations, please contact Carrie Fleider.

The Let’s Talk Program at UWM is based upon the Let’s Talk Program developed at Cornell University. With permission, material for this website has been adapted or reproduced from the Cornell University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Let’s Talk websites. We would like to thank Wai-Kwong Wong at Cornell and Amanda Ngola at UW-Madison for their consultation and willingness to share resources, which helped us to initiate this program on our campus.

Confidential Support

• UWM Victim/Survivor Advocate: 414-229-4582 or victimadvocacy@uwm.edu
• UWM Counseling Services: NWQ Building, 5^th floor
  • Business hours: 414-229-4716
  • After hours non-emergency: 414-229-4627
• Norris Health Center: 414-229-4716
  • Medical services including STI and pregnancy testing

Off-Campus Resources

Aurora Healing and Advocacy Services (formerly Sexual Assault Treatment Center) (414) 219-5555 – 24 hours/day

• Victim/survivor advocacy services
• 24-hour crisis phone line
• Medical Evidentiary Exam Advocacy
• Counseling and Therapeutic Services

The National Sexual Assault Hotline
(800) 656-HOPE – 24 hours /day 

A Medical Forensic Exam is a process in which a trained nurse gathers physical evidence from a victim/survivor following an assault. This can include collecting DNA, documenting injuries, recording the victim/survivors account of the assault, and providing any needed testing or medications.

• Evidence can be collected up to 120 hours following an assault (120 hours)

• Victim/survivors that choose to receive a medical forensic exam are NOT required to report to police. Evidence can be recorded and stored anonymously.

• All medical forensic exams are performed by a trained Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner
• The victim/survivor chooses which parts of the exam they would like performed. They can stop the exam at any time

• Aurora-Sinai Medical Center
  945 N 12^th St.
  Milwaukee, WI 53233
  414-219-5555
• Aurora West Allis Medical Center
  8901 W Lincoln Ave.
  West Allis, WI 53227

• If able, bring the clothes (including underwear) that were worn during the assault as well as clean clothes to change into
• Try not to bathe, brush teeth, or use mouthwash before the exam
• Wait to urinate until the nurse can collect a sample (especially if it is the first urination after the assault). Or bring a sample to the exam.
• Bring any feminine products (tampon or maxi pad) worn during the assault
• The examination can include DNA collection, photos of any bodily injury, STI assessment/prevention, and pregnancy testing

• Request an advocate to accompany you during the exam process through Aurora’s Sexual Assault Treatment Center: 414-219-5555

• Student Health and Wellness Center/ 2025 E. Newport Ave, 7th Floor/ 414-229-7429
  • Testing for STIs
  • Pregnancy testing and information
  • Confidential discussion of other related health concerns
  • The Student Health and Wellness Center does NOT provide Medical Forensic Exams, but they can provide referrals.

Any type of sexual contact or behavior which is unwanted by the recipient and takes place without explicit and freely given consent and understanding. Sexual assault can include manipulation, physical force, or coercion. Sexual assault about power, control, and entitlement, it is not about sex, attraction, rejection, jealousy, etc. Some examples of this behavior includes:

• Penetration, or attempted penetration, or another’s body
• Unwanted sexual touching with hands or other body parts
• Unwanted sexual advances or requests for sexual favors that, if rejected, would have direct consequences on your work, school, and/or social status
• Forcing someone else to perform sexual acts of any kind

Common is Sexual Assault?

• 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men will experience sexual assault in their lifetime (1 in 5 college women are sexually assaulted during their time as a student) (NSVRC, 2015)
• About 80% of women will experience their first assault before the age of 25 (NSVRC, 2010)
• 28% of male rape victims were first assaulted at the age of 10 or younger (NSVRC, 2015)
• Among individuals with an intellectual disability, as many as 80% of women and 30% of men will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime (Sorenson, 2000)
• 64% of transgender individuals experience sexual assault (FORGE, 2005)

Most sexual assault victim/survivors know the person who assaulted them

• About 80 – 85% of perpetrators know the person they assaulted
• Victims of child sexual assault know their perpetrator 90% of the time

Sexual assault can be committed by an intimate partner or spouse

• 51% of all sexual assaults are perpetrated by the victim/survivor’s current or former partner

It is normal for a victim to freeze during a sexual assault

• As many as 50% of sexual assault victim/survivors experience tonic mobility (temporary bodily paralysis) during their assault (National Institute of Justice, 2012)

Sexual assault is a crime that is planned and premeditated

• Sexual assault does not occur “by accident” – perpetrators premeditate their attacks by creating trust, isolating the victim, providing drugs or alcohol, or otherwise creating vulnerability (CCASA, 2012)

Most sexual assaults are not reported to the police

• Only about 33% of victim/survivors report their assault to police – it is the most underreported violent crime (National Crime Victimization Survey, 2008-2012)

Most perpetrators are not punished through the criminal justice system

• Approximately 2% of all reported sexual assault perpetrators will spend any time in prison (FBI Crime Reports, 2006-2010)

False rape accusations are uncommon

• Similar to other crimes, about 2 – 5% of sexual assault allegations are proven to be false (NSVRC, 2012)

**Approximately half of all sexual assaults involve alcohol consumption on the part of the victim, the perpetrator, or both (NIAAA)

Perpetrators can use alcohol or other drugs to compromise an individual’s ability to consent to sexual activity. Using these substances makes it easier for a perpetrator to commit sexual assault.

• Reduces an individual’s ability to physically or verbally resist
• Affects memory – victim/survivors may not remember the assault or only remember pieces. Memories can resurface after time.
• Alcohol and other drugs are tools a perpetrator uses to commit sexual assault. They do not cause someone to be assaulted. The perpetrator is responsible.
• The victim/survivor is not responsible, even if they willingly consumed alcohol or other drugs.

• Prescription drugs like sleep aids, anxiety medication, muscle relaxers, and tranquilizers are common
• GHB, rohypnol (roofie), ecstasy/MDMA (molly), ketamine can be added to drinks without changing their color or flavor

• Some drugs can take effect very quickly, while others take more time. Be aware of sudden, unexpected changes to your body or mental state. Physiological effects can include:
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Feeling very drunk when you have consumed little or no alcohol
  • Nausea
  • Sudden body temperature change, signaled by sweating or chattering teeth
  • Sudden dizziness, disorientation, blurred vision
  • Waking up with no memory, or spotty memory
• Most drugs leave the body very quickly, within 12 – 72 hours. If you are choosing to have a medical forensic exam, wait to urinate until at the hospital (if possible) or bring in a urine sample with you.

There is no one way to react to a sexual assault. No matter your response, you did what was best for you in the moment. The following are some of the emotional and physical responses victim/survivors have after being assaulted.

Shock, disbelief, numbness, denial

• Trying to make sense of what happened or find a rational explanation
• Feeling numb is often the body’s automatic response to a traumatic experience. It is one way the body tries to protect itself from the impact of trauma.
• Numbness is caused by the release of certain hormones in the body to stop the individual from going into complete panic
• Sexual assault is not a “normal” life experience. No one ever expects that they will experience assault. Disbelief is normal and understandable.
• Victim/survivors may tell themselves the assault was all in their head, no big deal, or completely imagined.

Dissociation

• Similar to feeling numb, dissociation is feeling completely outside one’s body.
• Some survivors describe the sensation as though they are watching themselves from the outside
• Dissociation is very common for trauma survivors and is also the body in self-protection mode

Shame, embarrassment

• Our society regularly blames victim/survivors for what has happened to them. Messages such as “why were you doing ____?” or “why would you be alone with that person?” promote the idea that survivors could have avoided their victimization.
• In general, we do not talk about sex. We do not talk about healthy sex or sexual assault. We have no scripts or guides for how to have these discussions so feelings of embarrassment and shame can result.
• Most victim/survivors know their perpetrator. It is often easier to blame oneself than to believe that someone you know and trusted is capable of sexual assault.

Anger, frustration, out of control

• Sexual assault is about power and control. Perpetrators take control away from the people they assault. It is common for victim/survivors to continue to feel this loss of control over their body and their life
• It is common for victim/survivors to feel that they are no longer in control of their body. Some victim/survivors will engage in activities that either enhance a mind/body connection (conscious breathing, yoga, meditation, therapy), or further divide the two (alcohol/drug use, frequent relationships, self-harm, disordered eating). Both reactions are normal and understandable.

Flashbacks, triggered

• It is common for victim/survivors to have flashbacks (or literally re-live) parts or all of the assault
• Flashbacks can be triggered by a number of things – sounds, smells, words, colors or images, certain people, gestures, bodily sensations, etc. This is normal and common after experiencing trauma
• It is common to be preoccupied with thoughts about the assault or feel powerless to stop thinking about it

Anxious, on-edge, jumpy

• Many victim/survivors experience “hyper-arousal” or feeling constantly on-edge as though something could happen at any moment
• Difficulty calming down, racing heartbeat, difficulty sleeping, inability to sit still

Isolated, depressed

• Although almost 1 out of 4 women will experience sexual assault, it remains a very isolating experience.
• Feeling that no one understands, no one can help, you will never feel better
• Some victim/survivors feel that they just want the pain to end, and may consider suicide. If you are thinking about suicide please reach out to someone. You are not alone. It will not always feel like this.
  • National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255

Physically ill

• It is common for victim/survivors to feel nauseous, experience gastrointestinal problems, continued colds or flu, muscle aches, headaches
• Loss of interest in physical intimacy – whether touching other people, or being touched
• Changes in appetite, sleep disturbances, difficulty concentrating.

Health Promotion & Advocacy regularly has opportunities for student employment, internships, practicums and volunteering. Students can gain experience in areas such as the design, marketing, delivery and evaluation of programs, screening and brief interventions for alcohol and other drugs, web design and content development, GIS data mapping, data analysis and more.

Look for Health Promotion & Advocacy student employment positions posted at UWM’s student employment website. For practicum, internship or volunteer opportunities, please contact the staff member whose role best aligns with your interests.

Health Promotion & Advocacy offers training and programs, pamphlets, links to web-based information, and consultations and referrals. Visit our Programs & Services page for details.

We are located on the Kenwood campus in the Northwest Quadrant on the northwest corner of Maryland and Hartford Ave. To find us, take the green elevators to the 8th floor.

For all counseling, psychiatry and case management appointments please contact us by phone, 414-229-7429 (option 2), to schedule an initial phone screening. Upon scheduling your appointment, please fill out the required history forms prior to your appointment by utilizing the client portal.

To access our online-only services please select the following links: Online Resources or Lets Talk Consultations.

Our services are available to UWM students currently enrolled in classes for credit and who have paid the student segregated fee.

Accessing our counseling and psychiatry services starts with a triage appointment, which is a 15-20 minute phone screening. During the screening we gather information that helps us make a recommendation for your best next steps.

Next steps may include: a counseling intake (individual, group, or couples therapy), a medication evaluation, or a referral for care in the community through our Counseling Services case manager.

• Counseling Services does not provide any mandated services or those that may require either court testimony and/or letters or reports to be filed with any legal entities. We do not provide services where litigation is either involved or pending.
• We do not provide evaluation-only services or comprehensive psychological testing services, including testing for ADHD or learning disabilities. Neuropsychological testing can be pursued on campus through the UWM Psychology Clinic.
• We are not able to provide documentation for emotional support animals.

Any of the the below criteria are required to qualify for a Counseling Services crisis session:

• I’m concerned about my ability to keep myself safe.
• I’m having thoughts of harming someone else.
• I am bothered by hearing or seeing things that others do not.
• I have experienced a traumatic event within the last month.

Counseling Services is a relatively small team of mental health professionals working to provide the best mental health care possible to over 24,000 students. Counseling Services has identified the above criteria for crisis sessions to focus our crisis response to those most in need and to protect ongoing service time so we can see more students and offer more diverse services.

If your current circumstances do not meet the above criteria for a crisis, you are still welcome to contact UCS but will not be able to been seen for a same day crisis session. In this scenario, UCS will reach out to you by phone within the next 24 hours (Mon-Fri) to provide support and explore next steps to connect you to any needed services or resources.

Crisis sessions are almost always in-person. In certain unique circumstances, when clinically appropriate, crisis intervention may happen over the phone or via Microsoft Teams. In all cases, contacting us via phone (414-229-7429, option 2) ahead of time will help expedite our response.

General Interpersonal Process Groups address the most common issues experienced by students including:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Discomfort in social situations
• Challenges in relationships
• Identity and developmental questioning
• Loneliness and isolation
• Academic stressors
• Family stressors
• Coping with uncomfortable emotions
• Grief and loss

In the group setting you can:

• Increase your self-awareness and understanding of others
• Connect with other students who have similar issues
• Decrease isolation and loneliness
• Experience meaningful connections with others
• Develop new, healthier ways of coping
• Increase your ability to give and receive honest feedback
• Receive multiple perspectives on your concerns

Interpersonal process groups are a powerful form of therapy to facilitate growth and change. Groups of 5-10 students meet weekly to share their struggles and concerns. Group members receive multiple perspectives, support, encouragement and feedback from other individuals in a safe and confidential environment. These interpersonal interactions can provide group members the opportunity to deepen their level of self-awareness and to learn how they relate to others. The groups are facilitated by 2 UCS staff members.

A support group brings together people who are going through or have gone through similar experiences and share common ground. During the group, participants have the opportunity to share personal experiences and feelings, coping strategies, and/or firsthand information about the topic around which the group was formed.