Living your best life at PennWest Clarion means taking care of yourself. We offer support from trained professionals who are dedicated to meeting your individual health and wellness needs. With easily accessible services, you can focus on your academics. Our programs are designed to help you build healthy habits that will not only enhance your academic and personal life but also set the foundation for a lifetime of success. Take advantage of the support services at PennWest Clarion.
FOR HEALTH EMERGENCIES:
Dial 911, Public Safety: 814-393-2111, or your local emergency number.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255
Text HOME to the National Crisis Text Line at 741-741
Visit your local hospital's emergency room.
The Health Center is staffed by a medical director, certified registered nurse practitioner, and registered nurses. Healthcare professionals at the center work with special populations to address their specific needs and develop and deliver health and wellness education programs. The safety and wellness of our students, faculty, and staff is our number one priority. Keeping strong and healthy, both physically and mentally, is key to academic success.
Location: 256 Becht Hall
Phone: 814-393-2121
Winter Session Hours:
8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monday – Friday
Fall/Spring Session Hours:
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday – Friday
Summer Session Hours:
8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Tuesday & Friday
Our services include, but are not limited to, the following:
Good health is an integral part of your PennWest Clarion experience. Although health insurance is not required for your visit, PennWest Clarion strongly recommends that all students have medical insurance coverage.
The UPMC MyHealth Clarion offers a variety of healthcare services for PennWest Clarion students, but it does not have any contracts for direct payment to any health insurance companies for clinic or ancillary services, and it does not bill any insurance companies directly.
You are responsible for paying all bills for clinic visits, medications, lab work, and certain procedures that you may need outside of your visit with UPMC MyHealth Clarion.
If you are not currently covered by a health insurance plan, it is recommended that you visit Healthcare.gov to explore your options for coverage on the insurance marketplace.
Read an open letter to students from Pennsylvania's Office of the Insurance Commissioner.
The Counseling Center supports students to make informed personal, social, and psychological choices during an important time of transition. Counseling is helpful in identifying challenges and obstacles, exploring solutions, and working toward personal growth.
To schedule an appointment with a campus counselor, students must first meet with a case manager. PennWest Clarion students can easily schedule an appointment through the Student Patient Portal.
Please note: The Counseling Center is not available during PennWest Clarion’s summer sessions; regular hours resume at the start of the fall semester. If you need help finding a therapist in your local area during times when the counseling center is closed, schedule an appointment with the case manager through the Student Patient Portal.
FOR MENTAL HEALTH EMERGENCIES: Dial 911 or your local emergency number, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, at 800-273-8255, text HOME to the National Crisis Text Line at 741-741, or visit your local hospital's emergency room. More hotlines and other resources are listed below. Pennsylvania residents can find a county-by-county list of crisis intervention services here.
Wellness Services enhances holistic well-being by optimizing individual experiences within empowering environments for PennWest campuses and communities.
256 Becht Hall
Counseling Center: 814-393-2255
Emergency Contacts: 814-226-7223 or text "Start" to 741-741
Hours: 8:00 a.m.– 4:00 p.m. Monday-Friday
To schedule an appointment, please call the office or use the patient portal. Appointments can be offered in person or via zoom.
Students experiencing a mental health emergency can walk into the counseling center without a scheduled appointment during operating hours (Monday-Friday 8am-4pm) for support.
Students experiencing a mental health emergency outside of operating hours should contact:
Student Wellness offers case management for all current PennWest Clarion students interested in guidance and support both on and off campus.
Possible areas of support include, but are not necessarily limited to the following:
Appointments are available both in person and via Zoom.
Current PennWest Clarion students can schedule an appointment with a PennWest Clarion
Campus case manager through the Student Patient Portal or by calling 814-393-2255.
You can feel comfortable about coming to the Counseling Center. Services are strictly confidential according to state and federal law, and there is no additional charge to PennWest Clarion students.
If you are concerned about a student, due to behavioral issues, consider making a Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) report. The BIT reviews the information provided and make recommendations on further action, such as referrals and reports to other departments on campus.
Class absences are excused for medical reasons documented by medical personnel, university activities approved by the appropriate vice president or designee, and/or for personal exigencies as defined by the faculty member. Activities to be recognized as an excused absence include but are not limited to scheduled athletic competitions, academic competitions in which the student is a participant, military duties, auto accidents, death of an immediate family member, and medical emergencies. Verification of such absences may be required by the instructor, and the student is responsible for make-up work as required by the instructor.
Students with excused absences are permitted to make up missed work and are responsible for all missed assignments without penalty. In cases where there have been significant absences, the student should consult with the instructor and academic advisor to determine if completion of the course requirements is possible or reasonable.
See full class attendance policy: Policy AC013: Class Attendance
Any student (undergraduate or graduate), who decides to withdraw from the University during any academic term, regardless of the reason (including medical), must contact the Office of the Registrar immediately at registrar@pennwest.edu.
A university withdrawal beyond the last day to withdraw the deadline may be requested to the academic dean for extenuating circumstances (e.g., illness, family tragedy) up through the last instructional day of the semester or term. Such requests must be made in writing to the academic dean over the student’s program (major) and include an explanation as to why the withdrawal did not occur by the deadline and documentation of the extenuating circumstance(s).
Drug Free Schools and Communities Act information for PennWest Clarion
You will find all you need to stay active in body, mind, and spirit.