First-Year Students

Welcome to the University of New Mexico! Our student’s health, well-being, and academic success is our priority at Student Health & Counseling. We hope that this information answers many of your questions. If you cannot find the answer to your questions, please look at the Frequently Asked Questions page and/or feel free to contact us. We are glad to have you as part of our pack and wish you a healthy college career!

From our Mental Health Team:

When you come to campus there are many adjustments to make. We are here to provide you with support at Counseling Services at UNM Student Health and Counseling (SHAC). Sometimes it helps just knowing there is a safe, confidential place and person available so you can ask questions and talk about how you are experiencing college. Of course, there may also be important issues you bring with you from other life experiences.

Our Counselors are here to help. We want to encourage you to come in and talk to us at the earliest sign of a problem. Catching emotional stresses and mood problems right away can make all the difference in the success of your first year. To see a counselor, stop in any weekday between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM for a brief Triage (screening) visit to be sure you get the services you need. We look forward to meeting you.

To help you decide if you should seek help, please see:

Tips for Students with a History of Mental Health Concerns / Important Signs that a Counseling Services Visit Might Be a Good Idea

We hope you find this information useful.

--Stephanie McIver, Ph.D., Director, Counseling Services

Before Coming to UNM: Recommendations for First-Year Students

• Vaccinations
  
  
  • Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR)
  • Meningococcal (Meningitis)
  • Varicella (Chicken Pox)
    
    
• Establish Care at SHAC
  • Medical Appointments
  • Counseling Appointments
    
    
• Insurance Verification
  If you have insurance, make sure you have your insurance card with you when you come to SHAC.
  
  
• Transfer Medical Records and/or Prescriptions to SHAC

Specific no-cost benefits at SHAC include: 

• Intake Visit with a Counselor
• Sexual Health Prevention Testing Days (Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and HIV)
• Resiliency Building and Wellness Workshops
• Health Promotion Programming
• Health Promotion Events
• Therapy Assistance Online
• Student Health Portal with Secure Messaging to your Providers
• One-on-one consulting with SHAC Pharmacists
• And more!

See also: Eligibility and Estimate & Cost

For more information or to schedule an appointment at SHAC, please call (505) 277-3136.