Women and Wellness
The University of the Pacific offers a range of services to support physical and emotional health for students, staff and faculty. While these services are for women and men alike, we note them here since they can be useful resources when dealing with health and wellness issues specific to women.
Counseling Services
Counseling Services is located in the Cowell Wellness Center, across the footbridge from the main campus.
Counseling Services is staffed by therapists who are trained to aid students in building self-confidence, making healthy choices, choosing assertive communication, relating to others, reducing stress, solving problems, and developing/solidifying identity. In addition, Counseling Services offers psychiatric medication management, crisis consultation, and outreach programming. They offer counseling to victims of sexual assault and other crimes.
New After Hours Counseling Support!
Pacific now has an after hours counseling hotline where you can receive support for urgent emotional issues that come up when the Counseling Services office is closed. Just call the main counseling number, 209.946.2315, and press the menu option to speak with a counselor.
Download a brief 
Stress Management handout.
Health Services
Kathy Hunter is ready for emergencies with the medical response cart.
Health Services is located in the Cowell Wellness Center, across the footbridge from the main campus.
Pacific's Health Services is equipped to provide a range of medical care, including acute care for illness and injuries, physicals, immunizations, and women's care.
Women's Care covers services such as routine gynecologic exams with Pap tests; STD screening; evaluation and treatment of vaginal infections; and contraceptive counseling and prescriptions, including emergency contraception. Health Services will provide free, confidential sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing for any student who has unwanted, unprotected intercourse. This specific testing is provided regardless of the student's insurance status.
Pacific's Health Services has a Degreed Nutritionist on staff to provide help students with their nutrition questions and problems. Students also can obtain tidbits of information by becoming a friend to Nutri-Cat on Twitter and Facebook.
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Nutricat
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/nutri.cat
Peer Education Program
The Peer Education Program creates leadership opportunities for students to encourage their peers to develop healthy habits and attitudes about concepts in the Health Triangle (physical, social and mental health).
In informal sessions, Peer Educators provide forums in which their peers can learn more about healthy and safe lifestyle decisions. Topics that may be discussed include alcohol and tobacco use, illegal drugs, body image issues, sexuality and sexual practices. Peer Educators also can provide information about the prevention, symptoms and treatment of various physical and mental health conditions. Peer Educators are available to provide presentations to any student group.
Any student interested in health or health promotion is encouraged to become a Peer Educator. This is a great opportunity to learn more about various health issues and help fellow students develop healthier lifestyles. Training and materials will be provided. Please contact Cowell Health Services for more information.
Health Topic Links
Information on a variety of health topics can be found at Health Services. Some resources and information concerning women can be found at the following links:
Breast Health and Cancer
Cancer Facts for Women
Cervical Health/ Pap Smears
Birth Control Methods
- Birth Control Method Choices
- Effectiveness of Various Contraception Methods
- Implanon Method
- Cycle Beads Method (non-hormonal method)
- Planned Parenthood
Emergency Contraception
- Emergency Contraceptive Pills
- Post-sex Guide to Not Getting Pregnant
- Not-2-Late Emergency Contraception
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Sexual Abuse and Domestic Violence
Cowell Health Services will provide free STI testing to any student, regardless of insurance status, who has had unwanted, unprotected intercourse.
- Post-sex Guide to Not Getting Pregnant
- Women's Center of San Joaquin County
- Card for Abused and Raped Women
- Domestic Violence Organization
- National Domestic Violence Hotline
Exercise and Women's Health
Eating Disorders
- Eating Disorders
- National Associations of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders
- National Eating Disorders Association
- Academy for Eating Disorders
- Overeaters Anonymous
Pacific Recreation
Taking time for recreation and fitness is a vital part of wellness and provides a social as well as a physical outlet that rejuvenates body and mind. Pacific offers many opportunities to participate in physical activities such as intramural sports and fitness classes. Check out Pacific’s Recreation Program to learn more.