From medical services to psychological support to a gym and
hiking trips, UCLA students have a number of resources available to
help with almost every need.
Students can seek medical attention at the Arthur Ashe Center,
located in the middle of campus across from Ackerman Student Union.
UCLA students with the Student Health Insurance Plan can receive
medical attention for free, while students without SHIP can visit
the clinic for a fee.
“(The Ashe Center) does deliver medical service, but our
philosophy is one of wellness. People can schedule stress massages
or acupuncture at the Ashe Center, as well as receive medical
attention,” said Michele Pearson, the center’s chief of
administrative services.
For students who have SHIP, most payments at the Ashe Center are
already paid for, Pearson said.
The center has a pharmacy where students can get their
prescriptions refilled and facilities for x-rays, physical therapy
and optometry, she said.
Gender-specific services for men and women are also available
where students can get tested for sexually transmitted diseases,
she said.
For mental health issues students can go to Student
Psychological Services.
Counseling is free for students who have SHIP health insurance,
and enrolled students are charged $10 per session, said Elizabeth
Gong-Guy, the interim director of Student Psychological
Services.
“We see people for all kinds of different reasons ““
from procrastination and home sickness to depression and
anxiety,” she said.
Student Psychological Services also offers a special program for
substance abuse, and has several free group counseling programs,
all of which are completely confidential, she said.
“It’s a pretty warm and friendly place. People come
in for test anxiety or if they miss a friend. It’s not a
mental hospital, it’s a counseling center,” Gong-Guy
said.
As well as health-related services, UCLA offers students a
number of recreation programs.
The John Wooden Center, located in the middle of campus next to
the Ashe Center, offers a gym, rock climbing wall, racquet ball
courts and equipment rentals, said Hahna Kang, a membership
supervisor at the Wooden Center.
The Wooden Center also offers classes for $15 to $30 a quarter,
from yoga to spinning and pilates, Kang said.
Sunset Canyon Recreational Facility is located at the back of
the Hill and has two swimming pools, a large field and a challenge
course.
To complement the recreational services on campus, there is also
an aquatic center in Marina Del Ray where students can rent kayaks
and wind surfing boards, as well as take surfing lessons, Kang
said.
UCLA also offers an Outdoor Adventures program that, for a fee,
takes students on camping and hiking trips, she said. The Wooden
Center also offers outdoor rentals such as tents and backpacks for
hiking trips.
For students with questions about their sexual orientation, the
campus Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Resource Center is a
safe place to ask them, said Ronni Sanlo, director of the LGBT
center.
“We offer information and referral, advocacy, personal
support and support groups, a library with over 4,000 books, a
cyber center for students, and noon-time videos,” Sanlo said.
“Students can look for information about what it is to be LGB
or T and find a friendly atmosphere where all people are
welcome.”