Having Support From Home Matters
Tips, strategies, and resources to support your Wildcat whether you're near or far.
Student Wellbeing & Success
Students are here to work toward their degree, but their experience is so much more than that. It's also a time of growth, connection, and discovering habits that can support lifetime wellbeing.
Campus Health is here to support the whole student. We know that wellbeing is shaped by more than healthcare alone, and that connection and a sense of belonging are an important part of student success. That's why we offer compassionate, convenient medical and mental health care, along with health education, wellness programs, and opportunities that help students feel connected and supported on campus.
As parents, guardians, and family members, you play a key role in helping students feel supported and encouraging them to connect with the resources available to them.
Review Immunizations
- Proof of two Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccinations needs to be submitted by your child through PatientLink. Note: Students are not able to register for classes until this requirement is met.
- Read the Meningitis Vaccine recommendations. This vaccine is strongly encouraged.
Healthcare Coverage
- Review your student's insurance coverage and provided them with an insurance ID card in case of emergencies.
- Reviewed available health care options, including insurance and fees (below).
Access to Care at Campus Health
- All students taking a minimum of 1 credit can be seen at Campus Health.
- Complete the Consent to Treat Minor form if your student will be under 18 when classes begin and submit that form here.
HIPAA
Campus Health adheres to the highest standards of HIPAA, protecting student health information and privacy. Medical and mental health information is confidential and shared only with written student consent, except in cases of extreme or imminent risk to the student’s health and/or safety, emergency contacts may be called.
Your Healthcare Options
Campus Health accepts most major health insurance plans and also offer options to help keep costs low, including a student discounted rate. While health insurance is not required to access services at Campus Health, we strongly urge every student to maintain adequate health insurance to cover unexpected medical expenses.
Not sure which option is right for you? This flow chart can help.
Student Health Insurance Plan
Offered by the U of A, coverage this top-tier insurance plan extends nationwide, and has an emergency benefit worldwide.
CampusCare
An ideal bridge for students covered by any type of health plan, especially those with high deductibles, limited benefits, or no coverage at Campus Health.
Commercial Health Insurance Plans
Campus Health is a participating provider to most commercial United Healthcare, Aetna, Cigna, and Blue Cross/Blue Shield plans for Primary Care Services.
Quality On-Campus Health Care for Students
Campus Health is the go-to for health and wellness on campus, with comprehensive healthcare services to support student wellbeing.
Our dedicated team of medical providers, mental health counselors, physical therapists, dietitians, and other healthcare professionals specialize in working with college students.
Services at Campus Health
Most health insurance plans are accepted and student discounted rates are always offered.
Counseling & Psych Services (CAPS)
CAPS makes getting mental health support easier with a comprehensive menu of mental health services. Care Pathways combines the most effective approaches to supporting students: skill-building, peer connection, and individual care.
Explore All CAPS Services
The majority of CAPS services are no cost for main campus students.
Resources for Parents, Guardians, & Family Members
ParentsMatter
When students are in crisis or feel overwhelmed, they often turn to their families for help and advice. Family members and guardians can be helpful in so many ways, but they may not always know where to turn for support and resources. ParentsMatter is a free consultation service for parents, guardians, and family members offered by CAPS. Call 520-621-3334 or send an email: chs-parentsmatter@distribution.arizona.edu to consult with a CAPS counselor.
Additional Resources
- Anyone concerned about a student can submit a CARE Report through Dean of Students Office.
- Browse on and off campus basic needs resources available through the Basic Needs Coalition.
- If your student is under 18, follow these instructions to access care at CAPS.
By The Numbers
Data drives what we do and how we do it. From student health and wellness trends to evaluating our services and programs, Campus Health is committed to providing the best experience for students in and out of the clinic.
Outside of the Clinic
Wellbeing is shaped by much more than medical and mental healthcare. Connection, community, involvement, and healthy habits all contribute to student success and wellbeing. Through Campus Health, students can explore wellness activities, volunteer opportunities, health education, peer programs, and community-building experiences designed to help them feel connected and supported.
Health Promotion Hideaway
A great place for students to relax, destress, and connect with others. Between a cozy wellness lounge and classroom space, you'll find board games, arts & crafts, free snacks, DIY wellness wall, and free events with therapy dogs and kittens.
Among students who spent time at the Hideaway 65% found a space for stress relief and 30% made new connections/friends.
Get Involved with Campus Health
From training, internship, student groups, and volunteer opportunities, there are many ways for students to get involved in supporting health and wellness on campus.
Over 130 student interns, volunteers, and student workers were actively involved with Campus Health during the past academic year.
Health & Wellness Events
From therapy animals and game nights to resource fairs and cooking classes, there's something for any student with any interest.
92% of students who attended Campus Health event large scale events felt more connected to the campus community.
Health Promotion Programs & Services
From programming, events, and presentations, to workshops, student mentoring, diversion programming, and more, we're here to support your student's wellbeing.
93% of students that have used Health Promotion indicated the services helped them remain a student at the UofA.
WellCats
Student-friendly, bite-sized wellness tips, tools, and resources on topics like stress, sleep, nutrition, and navigating healthcare, all curated by Campus Health professionals.
The WellCats website received the 2025 Silver DANDA Award.
Get Social With @UAZCampusHealth
Real, reliable, and relevant health and wellness information for UofA students.
98% of followers feel @UAZCampusHealth social media content adds value to their feed. (2025 Social Media Survey)
Supporting Your Student
College is a time of transition and growth, both for students and for their parents. During college, students face new challenges related to academics, time management, finances, relationships, wellbeing, and identity. When students have questions, need support, want to talk, or are struggling, they often turn to their parents for guidance and encouragement. Students often say their parents, along with their peers are two groups they go to most for advice, support, and modeling.
As your student develops independence, your support, communication, and connection continue to play an important role in their wellbeing and success.
Notice. Care. Help.
At Campus Health, Notice. Care. Help. is our framework for supporting students. These are steps that we teach students, faculty, staff, and student supporters like you. Our Friend2Friend website is a hub for recognizing the signs that someone’s struggling, talking more openly about mental health, wellness, and self-care, and getting your student connected with the right resources. It's a great resource for students and parents to have on hand.
Learn More About Notice.Care.Help
4 Tips to Stay Supportive & Connected
- Set clear and realistic expectations around academics, responsibilities, and experiences. Open conversations about goals can help students stay focused and balanced.
- Keep open lines of communication by practicing active listening, asking open-ended questions, avoiding judgment, and staying curious and engaged.
- Remember that small check-ins can make a big difference. Quick conversations or texts about their plans can encourage healthy decision-making.
- Support growing independence. Gently encourage them to build their problem solving-skills and confidence by trying new experiences and testing out new levels of responsibility.
Simple Ways to Start A Conversation
Keep it curious, low-pressure, and specific. Supporting your student doesn’t have to mean having a big, serious conversation. Everyday moments like a text, call, or casual check-in can open the door to meaningful conversations. Listen with curiosity and focus on understanding, not fixing.
- “How have you been coping with [fill the blank]?” "How have you coped with [thing] in the past?"
- “What part of college feels easiest right now? What feels harder?”
- “Have you found places or people on campus that help you feel supported?”
- “What are your favorite ways to move your body?"
- “What does staying safe look like for you when you’re out with friends?”
Safety & Wellbeing
Staying connected helps to keep your Wildcat safer. Whether you're near or far, you can play a big role in support your Wildcat in making healthy choices and staying safe.
General Tips
- Check in on Thursdays, Fridays or Saturdays. Unstructured time can be both exciting and stressful for students. Weekends may bring social pressures, homesickness, loneliness, or increased alcohol use.
- Encourage getting involved. Students who connect with their community while they are here will have a fuller, more enriching college experience.
- Correct misperceptions. Students tend to overestimate their peers' behaviors and attitudes, whether it's alcohol use, relationship experiences, or how others are coping. Helping your student question these assumptions can reduce pressure and support healthier decision-making.
- Be familiar with and share resources from this Campus & Community Resource Hub.
- Explore how the UofA builds a safe and supportive community.
4 Health Topics to Talk With Your Wildcat About
There’s a lot of information (and misinformation) out there when it comes to college and health. Between cultural myths, expectations about the college experience, and advice from countless sources, it can be difficult to know what information is reliable and most helpful to share with your Wildcat, or even where to start.
Talking with your Wildcat about these topics (and others) in an informed and supportive way, can help them make healthy decisions and stay safe throughout their college experience and beyond. Below, we’ve highlighted key messages and student data that can help guide those conversations.
General Health
When we feel better, everything feels more manageable. Building and supporting healthy habits now can help students feel their best now and establish behaviors to last a lifetime.
- Promote balance: Sleep, nutrition, movement, social connection, and downtime are all important parts of student wellbeing and academic success. Encourage progress, not perfection.
- Encourage preventive care: Remind your student not to wait until something feels “serious” to seek support. Preventive care, well-being services, and staying up to date on vaccinations are key to staying healthy. Family health history can also help guide important conversations and awareness.
- Help them know how to get care and support: Talk with your student about where to go for different needs (Campus Health, CAPS, etc.), how to make appointments, and how their insurance works so they feel confident accessing care when needed.
Mental Health
Everyone has mental health, and it's normal to experience ups and downs, especially during a time of change, growth, new experiences, and identity development like college.
- Stay connected and know when to act. Encourage them to build a support network and get involved. Learning more about mental health the signs that someone is struggling can help you recognize when your student needs extra support.
- Talk about mental health openly. Make mental health a regular part of conversations with your Wildcat. Check in with curiosity, listen without judgment, and create space for honest conversations about stress, emotions, and wellbeing.
- Normalize asking for support early. Early intervention makes challenges more manageable - don't wait for a crisis. When you and your Wildcat are familiar with campus resources it's easier for them to reach out and get help. Remind your Wildcat to use both campus resources and their support network.
By the Numbers
- 92% of Health Promotion's large-scale event participants felt more connected to the campus community.
Alcohol
Alcohol may or may not be part of your student's college experience, but regardless of their choices, understanding the risks and how to stay safe is important.
- Talk about safer choices. Encourage moderation and safer drinking strategies such as eating before and during drinking, alternating alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, avoiding drinking games, using a designated driver.
- Communicate the risks. Scare tactics don’t work, but discussing the obvious risks openly and evenly can help discourage their participation in drinking games, hazing, 21st birthday dangers, and other high risk behaviors.
- Encourage intervention and help-seeking. Make sure your student knows the signs of alcohol poisoning and understands when and how to get help for themselves or a friend. Looking out for one another can save lives.
By the Numbers
- 46% of UofA Freshman did not drink alcohol in the past 30 days.
- 92% of UofA Freshman use a rideshare service or have a designated driver if they plan to drink (usually or always).
2025 Health and Wellness Survey (n=3,928).
Relationships & Connection
College is a time when students build many kinds of relationships. From friendships, roommates, and romantic partners to classmates, faculty, and teammates, these connections can play an critical role in wellbeing, belonging, and success.
- Encourage relationships that are respectful and supportive. Talk about what a healthy relationship looks like both on line and offline: built on mutual respect, communication, trust, boundaries, and feeling safe being yourself. Encourage your student to invest in people who help them feel valued, safe, connected, and supported.
- Be open to building community. Finding your people takes time, especially during transitions. Encourage your student to stay open to new experiences, get involved, and meet a variety or people (we have more in common with others than we think!). Friendships often develop gradually and evolve throughout college.
- Know your resources and seek support when needed. Encourage your student to trust their instincts if a relationship feels unhealthy or unsafe, and reach out for support when needed.
Your Student Is Lucky to Have You
Staying connected and helping your student navigate available resources can make a lasting impact. We hope this guide serves as a helpful resource throughout your Wildcat’s college journey and gives you confidence in knowing where to turn when questions arise.