Health and Wellbeing

Mental and Physical Health Resources

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• DukeReach is a good starting point if students are unsure where to turn for health, well-being, and safety resources on campus.
• Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) helps students manage increasing stress or deal with situations best addressed in collaboration with a trained mental-health professional. CAPS staff members are also available to provide counsel on how to be supportive of a peer that you may be concerned about.
• Blue Devils Care is a new, free, 24/7 mental telehealth service for students.
• DukeLine is an anonymous text line connecting students with peer coaches trained by mental health professionals.
• The Duke Student Wellness Center helps students focus on their individual wellness by looking at the integration of many areas of life, including financial, social, spiritual, intellectual well-being, mind-body, and the environment around them. The center provides individual services, does group outreach, and acts as consultants as well as a hub of information on wellness. (Check out the center's Moments of Mindfulness activities.)
• Student Health Services provides a wide range of health-care services, many of which are covered by the student health fee. Student Health can serve as the primary-care physician for students and also refer students to specialists within the Duke network as needed. Duke also has an on-campus dental office that serves students, faculty, and staff. (Medical and dental insurance for students)
• Duke offers outstanding recreational facilities, classes, and programs, and we encourage our students to take advantage of these. The Graduate School pays for Ph.D. students' access to Duke recreational facilities during their first five years of study.

Other Wellness-Related Resources

• Ombuds: The Office of the Ombuds is a voluntary, off-the-record resource for informal dispute resolution and problem-solving. The Office provides confidential, informal, impartial, and independent services to Duke students, staff, and faculty. As an independent resource, the Office operates independently from all other offices on campus and does not have the authority to make or overturn university decisions. The ombuds serve as an impartial third-party available to help you to talk through your concerns and perspectives, ask questions regarding university policy and procedures, learn about available university and community resources, and strategize next steps for navigating your concern. For more information about how the Office of the Ombuds can assist you, visit the Ombuds website.

• Duke International Student Center: The DISC coordinates outreach and support to international students across the graduate, professional, and undergraduate student population. 

• Financial support: In addition to providing competitive financial support, The Graduate School also offers resources to help Ph.D. students with childcare costs and medical or other expenses that could cause a hardship.

• Identity and cultural centers: These centers provide education, advocacy, and support for Duke students, including those with extended families living outside the U.S.

• Mentoring: Good mentoring is crucial to success in graduate school and can make a significant difference in student wellbeing. To that end, The Graduate School develops resources and workshops to cultivate a robust culture of mentoring for graduate students at Duke.

• Religious Life at Duke: Duke's diverse faith groups provide a wide range of student support, whether or not you are connected to a religious tradition. Visit their website to connect with leaders who are experienced in offering emotional and spiritual care, and a non-anxious presence with a humanistic listening ear, to college-age students.

• Workshops: Throughout the year, The Graduate School organizes or funds workshops that deal with various aspects of student wellbeing, such as time management, imposter syndrome, or diversity and inclusion. These events are posted on the Graduate School calendar as they are developed.

• I Knew I Belonged at Duke When ...: Insights from Duke graduate students about how they found their community at the university.

• Prescription for Persistence: A series of short videos offering advice on staying the course through the ups and downs of graduate school

Wellness Tip Sheets

• Dealing with stress
• Combatting Zoom fatigue