Resources supporting graduate students' physical and mental wellbeing are indispensable, given the wealth of evidence suggesting the struggles we face as students in these areas. Below, we have outlined health and wellness resources available to Emory students.

Health Insurance

For PhD students, Emory provides health insurance with AETNA through the Emory University Student Health Insurance Plan (EUSHIP), which includes medical and dental care. Plan design and benefits are detailed on the EUSHIP website. Appointments for primary care, psychiatry, immunizations, and other types of services can be scheduled through Emory’s Student Health Services student portal. Health insurance is covered by Laney Graduate School for PhD students.

Physical Health

Students get unlimited access to Emory's recreation centers, which include the Woodruff PE Center (WPEC) and the Student Activity & Academic Center (SAAC). These facilities include an aquatic centers, a climbing wall, auxiliary courts, fitness floors, basketball courts, outdoor and indoor tracks, tennis courts, volleyball courts, and outdoor fields. Additionally, these centers offer physical education programming, including club sports, intramurals, group fitness classes, personal training, and wellness events (with a discounted student fee). 

Emory Student Health Services also offers multiple nutrition resources, including individual education and counseling sessions scheduled through the Patient Portal, nutrition campus guides, disordered eating resources, and nutrition-related events and programming. 

COVID-19

Students get free COVID-19 testing through several locations on campus. These are usually antigen tests, with results returned in around 24 hours. 

Mental Health

Separately, Emory’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) provides services for mental health help, including initial screens, crisis interventions, consultations, and referrals. However, they do not offer psychiatric services, medication management, psychological testing, documentation for disability accommodations, or documentation for emotional support animals. Additionally, as of this semester, CAPS is currently offering telehealth services due to the ongoing pandemic. As graduate students, we get 7 free sessions of one-on-one counseling. Health insurance can also help cover additional mental health costs.

Emory also offers resources for substance use counseling, tobacco cessation counseling, recovery support, and educational programming regarding drug and alcohol use. These resources are provided for alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use.

Emory also offers a free wellness coaching service to all graduate students, providing support for navigating a variety of concerns and challenges. As stated on their website, "wellness coaching is the collaboration between the coach and the student to identify motivations, values, and strengths while creating a map for positive behavioral change." All sessions are available to students for free.

Emory has an Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion that is run at the university-wide level. Their mission states that they strive to provide a safe environment that is conducive to intellectual engagement, learning, and working in positive ways. They focus their work on systemic issues by addressing policy and procedural concerns.

This office maintains campus-wide initiatives, programming, engagement, and resources in order to promote DEI values and hold community members accountable regarding discrimination and harassment. Their programming includes book clubs, a "Fireside Chat" event series, a "Race in America" conversation series, Women in Leadership Networking Breakfasts, Civic Dinners, and much more.

Title IX 

Importantly, this Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion manage Emory's Title IX procedures and resources. Specifically, they outline guidelines for prohibited conduct and provide remedies and accommodations for reported misconduct. They also recommend 24/7 crisis resources that are available to all students on campus. 

The Department of Accessibility Services at Emory seeks to provide equal opportunities for all students by assisting qualified students in obtaining equal access, reasonable accommodation, and ensuring compliance where applicable.

To access accessibility services as a student, you can register with the department to receive an individualized accommodation plan for your time at Emory. Students are encouraged to begin the registration process as early as possible. 

Emory's International Student and Scholar Services works to help international students adjust to a new culture and education system, connect with the Emory global community, maintain legal status, and apply for immigration benefits. They are the people to go to for help with immigration documentation and transitioning to a new environment. 

This office also assigns all international graduate students an advisor based on last name. One-on-one appointments can be scheduled with your assigned advisor to discuss issues regarding professional, academic, and personal international student life at Emory. 

Office for Racial & Cultural Engagement

The Office for Racial and Cultural Engagement is committed to engaging the student body in discussions surrounding race and racial justice. They focus on education and awareness, activism, and identity development. For graduate students, they host mixers, wellness events, group discussion sessions, and even group writing events. 

Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, & Transgender (LGBT) Life

The Office of LGBT Life seeks to create a safe environment for students of all genders, sexual preferences, and identities. They hold weekly Queer Discussion Groups focusing on topics related to sexual and gender identities, coordinate Emory’s participation in Atlanta Pride, hold monthly graduate student mixers, and much more. Emory also has a LGBTQ Graduate Student Coalition.

Identity Spaces Project

Emory has also launched an Identity Spaces Project that aims to provide locations for students to connect with others from similar backgrounds. The current plans include spaces for the following communities: Asian, Centro Latinx/e, Women, Emory Black Student Union, and LGBTQ+. These spaces will be located in a newly renovated 3rd floor of Cox Hall and will tentatively open in Fall 2023.

Office of Spiritual and Religious Life

Emory's Office of Spiritual and Spiritual Life (OSRL) supports the religious and philosophical activity of all students, faculty and staff, irrespective of faith or creed. OSRL offers a Welcoming Interfaith and Spiritual Exploration (WISE) program for incoming students.