UCLA Health and Wellness Resources 101: A Guide for New Students

In addition to the Healthy Campus Initiative, there are many great health and wellness resources for students on UCLA’s campus. If you’re new to campus, use this list to familiarize yourself with the resources that can help you enjoy the best and healthiest college experience possible.

UCLA Recreation — UCLA offers numerous places to workout on campus, all free with your Bruin card: the John Wooden Center, the Bruin Fitness Center (BFit), Drake Stadium, Sunset Canyon Recreation (which boasts multiple pools), and the Los Angeles Tennis Center. UCLA Recreation also offers numerous fitness classes every quarter, from yoga to barbell to salsa dancing, so you can try something new every quarter if you desire! You can also rent bikes at the Bike Shop or camping equipment at the Equipmental Rental center.

UCLA Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) — UCLA’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) center describes itself as a multi-disciplinary mental health center. In addition to offered individual counseling session to students, it offers group therapy, wellness workshops, and much more. CAPS is located in John Wooden Center West and is available to all students (though the quantity of services or sessions available depends on whether or not you subscribe to UCLA’s health insurance, UCSHIP). More than one in four students utilize CAPS, so if there’s something bothering you or you need someone to talk to about your college transition, don’t be afraid to use it –make an appointment today simply by showing up at the front desk.

LGBTQ Campus Resource Center — The LGBTQ Campus Resource Center offers a wide range of services to students, from academic mentors to career counseling to individual counseling. The center has fours CAPS counsellors in-residence that are available for drop-in counseling throughout the week and offers LGBTQ-specific therapy groups. The center also boasts a library, cyber center, and an ally training program, and hosts numerous events for students a quarter.

Student Wellness Commission (SWC) — The Student Wellness Commission is an office within the Undergraduate Student Association Counsel. The commission is made up of 12 student-run committees that address all aspects of student health and wellness on campus, from mental health to consent education to body image. SWC puts on dozens of health-related events for students each quarter and provides free condoms and feminine hygiene products outside its office (Kerckhoff 308). Keep up-to-date on their events by liking their facebook page.

Cafe 580 — Cafe 580, located at 580 Hilgard Avenue (inside St. Alban’s Episcopal Church), provides free meals to financially struggling students. The cafe offers free meals three times a day Monday through Friday and feeds everyone that knocks on its door, no questions asked.

Bruin Resource Center (BRC) — The Bruin Resource Center, located in Bradley Hall on the hill, provides many resources for UCLA students, including transfers, veterans, active military, undocumented students, and students with dependents. The BRC also runs UCLA’s GRIT counseling program, which offers free peer-to-peer counseling. You can sign up for a GRIT coach here.

Student Activities Center (SAC) — The Student Activities Center, located in Dickson court, is home to numerous campus resources. The Community Programs Office (CPO) contains the Student Retention Center (SRC) which provides services to help retain students, especially those who have historically lacked support in higher education, until graduation. You can also the UCLA Test bank (where you can get a copy of the last final your professor gave by trading in one of your exams), the CPO Computer Lab (with free printing for all students), a nightly Study Hall, the Commuter Van Ride Service, and the Writing Success Program to support the academic and holistic development of students. The CPO food closet, where financially struggling students can find canned foods and fresh produce, is located in room 111 and open from 8am-6pm. SAC is also home to a pool and basketball courts.

Dashew Center for International Students and Scholars — The Dashew center, located in Bradley Hall on the hill, aims to support UCLA’s 12,000 international students. The center has numerous programs throughout the year, most of which are open to all UCLA students. The center assists international students with visa applications and coordinates programs such as Thanksgiving dinner and language circles.

UCLA Center for Accessible Education (CAE) — The Center for Accessible Education works to support and meet the educational needs of Bruins with disabilities. The office offers note-taking services, van rides around campus, support groups, individual counseling, test-taking accommodations, and more.

Arthur Ashe Student Health and Wellness Center — The Ashe center is UCLA’s student health center. Here you can make appointments for your annual check-up, get free flu vaccines, pick up a free toothbrush, and fill prescriptions at the pharmacy. Call (310) 825-4073 to make an appointment or learn more about the services Ashe offers.

Title IX Office — The Title IX education amendment prohibits any discrimination due to sex or gender on campus. The office on campus exists to ensure that UCLA’s community remains free of discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence. If you ever wish to discuss your rights on campus or feel as if your rights have been violated, the Title IX office’s doors are open to you.

Danielle de Bruin is an undergraduate student at UCLA majoring in Sociology with a double minor in Italian and Global Health. She is the blog coordinator for the UCLA Healthy Campus Initiative and the director of UCLA’s Body Image Task Force, which is a committee within the UCLA Student Wellness Commission. With the Body Image Task Force, Danielle organizes events, workshops, and campaigns to promote healthy body image, self-confidence, and mental health on campus. She is also a published co-author in the journal PLOS Medicine.