To: USC Students
cc: USC Faculty and Staff
From: Sarah Van Orman, MD, MMM, FACHA
Chief Health Officer for USC Student Health
Division Chief for College Health, Keck School of Medicine of USC
Winston B. Crisp
Vice President for Student Affairs
Steven Siegel, MD PhD
Chair, Dept. of Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences, Keck School of Medicine of USC
Vassilios Papadopoulos, DPharm PhD
Dean, USC School of Pharmacy
Date: April 19, 2021
Subject: Wellness and Prevention Programming for Students
As we prepare for the final wellness days of the semester, we are pleased to announce the programs for our last two wellness days, an expansion of our embedded counselor model, and the launch of an education and harm reduction program to address opioids.
Embedded Counselors Model Expands
Counseling and Mental Health Services announces the largest expansion of the Embedded Counselors model, a program that brings Counseling and Mental Health clinicians more closely into specific student communities, based on areas of need.
The embedded counselor model was initiated when USC received insight on student’s well-being through an annual survey of student well-being (2019 Healthy Minds data). The data collected helped the University understand campus populations that had a heightened need for mental health services, and yet may not seek services. The embedded counselor model is a research-based model to encourage help-seeking among some of the most vulnerable populations.
The program was initially launched with Student Equity and Inclusion Programs cultural centers La CASA, APASS, CBCSA, LGBTQ+ Center , and First-Generation Plus Success Center, Office for International Services, USC Gould School of Law, USC School of Cinematic Arts, and USC Kaufman School of Dance. Its success in these areas has paved the way to expand to the largest school, the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, with five embedded counselors. Counselors are available via TeleHealth and will be on-site in their school- and center-based locations in the fall.
Opioids: Education and Harm Reduction with Naloxone SC
In a partnership with the student-led USC School of Pharmacy group CPNP (College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists, USC student chapter), we are announcing Naloxone SC — a student-run website and naloxone distribution program. Students can receive a life-saving opioid reversal kit containing a Narcan twinpack and drug-testing strips. Simply log in and review the educational video and take a brief quiz. CPNP members are also available to provide workshops and Q and A sessions via Zoom, and when Covid safety conditions permit, in-person at both HSC and UPC campuses. Contact usc.cpnp@gmail.com for additional information.
End of Semester Wellness Days
On April 22 and 30, USC Student Health will host 30-minute wellness workshops and programs throughout the day (check under “Workshops” in MySHR) — please join us for a break and an opportunity to learn how to recharge your batteries before finals.
We wish you good health and are here to support you as you finish out the academic year.
