Health, Wellness, and Fatigue Mitigation Policy
Noorda-COM is committed to fostering an environment where student, faculty, and staff emotional, mental, and physical health are cultivated. Resources and activities related to mental health, wellness, and fatigue mitigation are provided to promote empowerment to take ownership of personal well-being.
Wellness Curriculum
As a component of the longitudinal Professional Identity Formation (PIF) course, students must document at least one hour of a wellness activity each week. Any activity related to any of the eight Noorda-COM wellness dimensions will be accepted as completion of this requirement.
Unstructured Time
Unstructured time is inherently built into the curricular model, helping to maximize wellness opportunities and minimize fatigue. Didactic content is available asynchronously, allowing students the ability to define their own schedule. Structured activities, such as Clinical, OMM, Anatomy lab, are available at a variety of times to demonstrate student proficiency in the related skills. Elective content is available to students with personal interests in a desired specialty. Unstructured time provides faculty and staff flexibility in their schedules to pursue wellness and reduce fatigue.
Wellness Committee
A wellness committee that includes students, faculty, and staff in collaboration with senior administration assure regular upkeep of wellness plans and programs, conducting wellness assessments of the college facilities, executing student, faculty, and staff wellness surveys, and upholding a community environment that supports wellness.
Student Physical Health Services
For non-urgent and minor health issues, Intermountain Health Connect Care, a virtual telehealth platform via an app is available 27/4 and guarantees connection to a provider in less than 10 minutes. For urgent healthcare needs, students may visit any Intermountain Health Instacare location. Physical health services may be scheduled by scanning the QR Code printed on the back of each student badge.
If you are experiencing a life-threating emergency outside of our clinic hours, call emergency services (911) or go to the nearest hospital emergency room and notify us of your treatment as soon as possible.
Student Mental Health Services
Students are provided with free and confidential mental health services, by appointment, to help mitigate the academically rigorous environment of medical school. Students may self-refer or may be referred to counseling support services. If long-term treatment beyond the provided counseling support services is recommended, the student may be referred to a mental health specialist tailored to specific needs. Support services may be scheduled by scanning the QR Code printed on the back of each student badge.
Students are provided access to short-term therapy and counseling services. Issues that therapists/counselors may be able to help with include:
- Depression
- Stress
- Anxiety disorders
- Alcohol or drug use
- Eating disorders
- Concerns about academic performance
- Relationship problems
- Family problems
- Sexual concerns
- Identity concerns
Headspace
As of July 1, 2024, Noorda-COM will provide all student mental health services through Headspace, a nationwide program that provides mental health support accessible to every student, whether they are on campus or on clinical rotations. Headspace provides mindfulness tools, clinical behavioral psychologists, and psychiatry services all under one roof. This is a confidential service where appointments are offered at the most convenient times for busy medical student schedules. Students will have options from many different licensed counselors and psychiatrists as well as on-demand coaching any time of day to fit their needs. Crisis counseling services and referrals are available 24/7, 365 days a year.
Wasatch Behavioral Health
Wasatch Behavioral Health is a comprehensive community mental health center offering an array of programs and services in both Utah and Wasatch Counties The following services are provided: inpatient, residential, day treatment, case management, outpatient, 24-hour crisis line, outreach, follow-up, referral screening, consultation, education, and prevention. Wasatch Behavioral Health services will be discontinued on June 30, 2024, and will be replaced with Headspace. Students may still use Wasatch Behavioral Health services using their health insurance if desired.
StudentLinc
StudentLinc, a virtual telehealth platform via an app is available 24/7 to provide confidential and professional guidance for personal or academic-related concerns. StudentLinc services will be discontinued on June 30, 2024, and will be replaced with Headspace.
UTAH STATE CRISIS LINE (800) 273-TALK (8255) 24 hours a day / 7 days a week
Additional Resources are available off site through StudentLinc. Access to and education on utilization of these apps are preloaded to tablets issued to the students during orientation.
This policy was reviewed and revised in March 2024. For assistance with policies and procedures, please contact Alexa Levine (adlevine@noordacom.org).
