College and graduate school are times of new experiences, challenges, and responsibilities and can be both exciting and overwhelming. Many students report that they drink alcohol or use substances to relax, reduce stress, and be more socially comfortable. Stigma and misunderstanding often prevent people from asking for help. Compassionate support is available here at Dartmouth if you or someone you know has an alcohol or substance use concern.

• BASICS (Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students). This one-on-one Personalized Feedback Session provides a judgment-free environment designed increase awareness and reduce substance misuse.
• Dartmouth’s Department of Safety and Security (DoSS). Student health and safety are the primary concerns for DoSS.
  • For medical emergencies, fires, or crimes in progress, call 911 for immediate help.
  • For other safety and security concerns, call DoSS. DoSS is open 24 hours a day and can connect you to other Dartmouth resources such as your dean on-call, crisis counseling, and other Dick’s House resources.
  • DoSS can also provide support like escorting a student back to their housing or going to the Dick’s House Inpatient Department.
  • Under Dartmouth’s Good Samaritan policy, undergraduates who seek assistance from emergency services or DoSS, as well as the individuals assisted, are protected from Dartmouth disciplinary action for alcohol or drug-related violations. 
• Dartmouth Student Health Service
  • Primary Care. Medical help is available for substance use, including alcohol, tobacco, and opioid use. Consider making an appointment to talk about options, even if you don’t want to quit.
  • Counseling Center. Both one-on-one and group counseling sessions can help you explore issues related to alcohol and other drug use.
  • Inpatient Department (IPD). With 24-hour nursing support for up to ten students, the Inpatient Department can provide intoxicated students and others with a caring environment in which to recover when hospitalization is not needed, or upon release from local hospital treatment. There are no fees for overnight observation in the IPD.  
• Naloxone. Naloxone, sometimes referred to by the brand name Narcan, is an over-the-counter drug that can temporarily reverse effects of opioid overdose. Students can learn how to administer Naloxone and obtain Naloxone from the Student Wellness Center, the Dick’s House pharmacy, or the 24/7 Dick’s House vending machine. Students administering Naloxone should still call 911 when an overdose occurs.
• Tobacco/Nicotine Cessation. Visit the Student Wellness Center to pick up a free quit kit and make an appointment with a wellness coach.

Online Resources

• Alcohol 101+. This education program is designed to increase your awareness and lower risks associated with the use of alcohol.  
• Cannabis eCheckup to Go. This online program provides personalized feedback regarding one’s individual use patterns, risk, and resources that might be helpful here at Dartmouth.

Community Resources

• Alcoholics Anonymous(AA). While many who participate in AA abstain from alcohol, you do not have to be ready to stop drinking to benefit from AA. Benefits of attending AA can include listening to the stories of others, getting answers to your questions and concerns, participating in discussions, and building friendships. 
• Al-Anon/Alateen. Al-Anon and Alateen support relatives and friends of alcoholics in sharing their experience, strength, and hope to solve common problems.
• Marijuana Anonymous. If you want to stop using marijuana, you can attend these free in-person or online confidential support group meetings.

Finding the right hair care for you is important.

Dartmouth works with:

• The Suite, LLC to bring a stylist to Hanover who specializes in curly, wavy, and coily hair types
• The People’s Barbershop for traditional barbering services catering to all hair types

Learn more about the Black Hair Care discounts available to Dartmouth students and how to schedule an appointment.

Wellness comprises many forms including physical wellness. Physical wellness may include good health and physical access to healthy environments. Dartmouth is committed to providing people with disabilities an equal opportunity to access the goods and services of Dartmouth. We believe physical access for all members of Dartmouth is essential for inclusion and wellness.

As an older campus, situated on hilly terrain in the Northeastern United States, Dartmouth has places and spaces that are difficult to fully access. We continue to make strides in eliminating barriers to physical access.  When an environment is not accessible to a student with a disability Dartmouth ensures their ability to equally participate through the provision of accommodations.  

Students who have conditions that greatly affect one or more major life activities may be eligible to receive accommodations through the interactive process with the appropriate Accessibility/Disability office. Some types of conditions students are challenged by may include mobility-related, chronic health, sensory deficits, and other diagnosed temporary conditions. Each accessibility/disability office works with students individually to ensure any reasonable accommodations and services will provide substantially equal access to their environments at Dartmouth.

Undergraduate and B.E. students who have previously utilized accommodations or services for a disability or diagnosed condition are encouraged to apply through Student Accessibility Services (SAS). If you do not have a documented disability or are unsure if your condition and its impacts would qualify for SAS services, please visit Where to Start  for next steps. Next steps options can include an inquiry meeting with SAS staff to learn more about our work with students. 

Additionally, support may be available for temporary conditions such as:

• Concussion
• Injuries
• Surgery or other medical procedure, or
• If you experience a significant illness lasting for more than two weeks.

Please see Injuries & Temporary Medical Conditions for recommendations, technology tools, and other guidance.

Undergraduate, graduate, and professional students seeking accommodations related to student employment should contact the ADA/504 Coordinator’s Office in Equal Opportunity, Accessibility, and Title IX (EOATIX) office.

Each of Dartmouth’s four graduate and professional schools have dedicated accessibility professionals to assist students in need of accommodations, services or modifications due to disabling conditions.

To learn more about each of the graduate and professional schools, please see the following:

• Geisel: Disabilities Accommodations and Procedures
• Guarini: Disabilities-Related Accommodations
• Thayer: Students with Disabilities
• Tuck: Accessibility

Eating nutritious meals provides important fuel for your body, especially at times when you may be under mental or physical stress. These campus resources can help you navigate barriers to nutritious eating including stress, anxiety, finances, and time management.

• Dartmouth Dining. Dartmouth Dining facilities offer a variety of food options to accommodate allergies, sensitivities, and religious practices. The daily menu is searchable by many features, including date, location, and several common dietary considerations. Students can learn about meal plans, including options for graduate and professional students on the Dartmouth Dining webpage. Dartmouth Dining also has a full-time dietitian/nutritionist who is available for one-on-one and small-group consultations with any student at no cost. This can be a great way to learn about how to meet your nutritional needs with the options available to you across the Dartmouth Dining facilities or elsewhere!
• Dartmouth Nutrition Counseling. In addition to the dietitian/nutritionist support available through Dartmouth Dining Services, Dartmouth’s Health Service has two additional dietitians who can help any student with a variety of nutrition-related topics such as allergies, low energy, diabetes, disordered eating, sports nutrition, etc. You can schedule an appointment with a health service dietitian through the health portal.
• Eating Disorder Treatment Services. When you struggle with disordered eating, your life is impacted in multiple areas. You are not alone. The Nutrition Wellness Team at Dick’s House will work with you to provide confidential treatments services. The team is composed of a primary care provider, therapist, dietitian, case manager, and athletic trainer.
• Dartmouth Food Shelf at the Health Service. Free refrigerated foods and non-perishables are available 24/7 to all students, no questions asked.
• Religious Accommodations for Dining. Dining accommodations are available for anyone who follows faith-based or spiritual dining guidelines, including Kosher, Halal, vegan, and vegetarian options. 

Mindful eating is a practice that involves paying full attention to the experience of eating and drinking, both inside and outside the body. This practice can enhance a sense of connection to the present, increase gratitude towards food, and deepen enjoyment of our meals. These experiences can support an overall more balanced approach to nourishment and well-being.

• Eating Meditation. Try out the Mindfulness Institute for Emerging Adults’ guided practice.
• Make Peace with Food: 10 Principles of Intuitive Eating.  Related to mindful eating, Intuitive Eating is a personal process of honoring health by listening and responding to the direct messages of the body in order to meet your physical and psychological needs.
• Mindful Eating. A resource guide that includes tips to bring more mindfulness to your meals.
• Student Wellness Center Check-Ins. Schedule a one-on-one session to explore how you might incorporate mindful eating more into your daily life. 

Exploring your gender identity and/or gender expression while you are a student can be a positive experience, and it can also be stressful. For example, transgender students may face higher rates of mental health concerns due to societal discrimination, rejection, and misunderstanding.

Dartmouth is committed to providing access to gender-affirming supplies and healthcare. 

Gender-Affirming Services. Dick’s House Primary Care provides supplies, services, and support for you, whether you are transgender, questioning your gender identity, and/or considering gender transition (medically or surgically).

• Dartmouth’s Chosen Name and Identity Policy and Process. Dartmouth recognizes that some students wish to identify themselves by a name other than their legal name. Dartmouth enables students to use a chosen name where possible during their Dartmouth education. Students may also indicate their gender identity and pronouns.
• Legal Name or Legal Sex Changes. Students can bring necessary documentation and have their legal name and/or legal sex updated with Dartmouth via their undergraduate, graduate, or professional school’s registrar’s office. More information pertaining to updating legal name and/or legal sex and the documentation needed for undergraduate students can be found on the undergraduate registrar’s website.
• Dartmouth’s Title IX Policy Definitions. The Title IX Office promotes an environment of gender and sexual respect, safety, and well-being on campus.

Students experiencing mental health concerns for any reason are encouraged to speak with a primary care provider at Dick’s House, the Dartmouth Counseling Center, Uwill, or crisis support, if needed.

Engaging in regular physical activity can provide numerous mental health benefits including stress, anxiety, and depression management, while also improving overall physical health and cognitive function.

Whether moving your body to music, enjoying a stroll around campus, or playing frisbee with friends on the Green, there are lots of informal options available to you. Accessing organized classes, clubs, and campus facilities are also options.

• Alumni Gym. All students can use the gym; membership purchase is not necessary. Gym includes swimming pool (with designated hours) and sauna.
  Club Sports. Student-run clubs offer a wide variety of recreational activities, ranging from skill instruction to local, regional, and national club intercollegiate contests.
• Fitness Classes. Open to all students, these classes are designed to increase your general fitness and health awareness. Classes cost $60 for undergraduate students earning wellness education credit; $60-$80 for all other students. Undergraduate students who receive financial aid may be eligible for discounts.
• Intramural Sports. You can participate in a variety of competitive recreational sports, including basketball, flag football, hockey, kickball, softball, soccer, and volleyball. The cost is $10 per quarter. Financial assistance is available to undergraduate students who qualify.
• Open Recreation. Looking for a pick up game? ‘Open Rec’ is available in our different athletic facility venues for basketball, swimming, squash, racquetball, tennis, pickleball, and field sports. 
• Outdoor Activities. See Environmental Wellness for a full list.
• Yoga and Mindful Movement Classes. Practicing yoga can relieve stress and anxiety, and improve mental health and sleep. Try an in-person or online class from the Student Wellness Center. 

The Dick’s House Pharmacy is equipped to meet many student needs, including:

• Filling prescriptions (most prescription insurance accepted)
• Patient counseling for new medications and over-the-counter (OTC) products
• Vaccinations
• Prescription take-back – safely dispose of your leftover, unused, unwanted, or expired medications

A limited selection of products are available 24/7 in the Dick’s House vending machine for a cost. Examples of products typically stocked in the vending machine include:

• cough drops
• naloxone
• pregnancy tests
• safer sex supplies

The nearest corporately owned pharmacy in Hanover, NH is CVS, located at 79 S. Main Street.

Pregnancy Tests. Pregnancy tests are available to all students at the following Dartmouth locations:

• 24/7 Inpatient Nursing Department (IPD) at Dick’s House at no cost to all students (undergraduate, graduate, professional students) during the undergraduate academic terms
• 24/7 Vending Machine at Dick’s House (first floor) using Dartmouth DASH payment.
• Dick’s House Primary Care.
• Safer Sex Bar in the Student Wellness Center (Berry Library 179) at no cost

Students can also purchase pregnancy tests at local businesses such as CVS, located at 79 S. Main Street.

Additional resources for pregnancy, unplanned pregnancy, and parenting are available as follows:

• Medical Care and Options. If you think you are pregnant, or are planning to become pregnant, you can visit the Dartmouth College Health Service (Dick’s House) Primary Care or Inpatient Nursing Department for confidential pregnancy testing and pregnancy options counseling and referral.
• Protection for Pregnant and Parenting Students. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (typically known as “Title Nine”) prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex - including pregnancy and parental status - in educational programs and activities for all students. The Dartmouth Title IX office will provide you with support and resources in the event that you become pregnant and give birth to a child, adopt or foster a child, or if you experience a miscarriage or abortion.
• Lactation Rooms. Lactation rooms available across campus, for use by sign-up. Contact the Title IX Office for further support if there are no lactation rooms close to you. 
• Emergency Contraception. Emergency contraception refers to methods of contraception that can be used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected penile-vaginal sexual intercourse. Plan B, which is one type of emergency contraception, is available for free at the Dick’s House pharmacy and the inpatient nursing department (24/7). If you weigh over 160 pounds (72.7 kg), Dick’s House Primary Care recommends that you contact the Inpatient Nursing Department for further guidance. Emergency contraception is also commonly sold at private pharmacies, such as CVS, and available for free at some local Upper Valley businesses like Still North Books.
• Abortion Options. The Dartmouth College Health Service (Dick’s House) primary care and inpatient nursing departments can provide confidential pregnancy testing and options counseling and referral. Dick’s House also maintains a list of abortion resources on its sexual health resources page.
• Preventing Pregnancy. Safer sex supplies are available to all students at the following locations:
  • 24/7 Inpatient Nursing Department (IPD) at Dick’s House, available to all students (undergraduate, graduate, professional students) during the undergraduate academic terms
  • 24/7 Vending Machine at Dick’s House (first floor) with DASH payment.
  • Dick’s House Primary Care offers a variety of contraception options and services (e.g., IUDs, oral contraceptive pills, Nexplanon, and others)
  • Safer Sex Bar in the Student Wellness Center (Berry Library 179) at no cost

Students can also purchase safer sex supplies at local businesses such as CVS, located at 79 S. Main Street.

Dick’s House Primary Care is the medical home for all Dartmouth students.

Dedicated staff members provide inclusive, culturally-sensitive, quality health care to support the personal wellness, physical, and mental health of each and every student.

Many services and supplies are available through Dick’s House Primary Care, so check out the MEdical Care and Services link to learn more, and book an appointment (if needed).

• Appointments, Location and Hours
• Medical Care and Services
• Self-Care Guides

Bias incidents include, but are not limited to, conduct violations, hate speech, harassment, graffiti or property damage, threats of violence, and physical or sexual violence.

• Emergency Services. Dial 911 without delay for any medical emergency, fire, crime in progress, life-threatening emergency. For all other safety and security issues, including on-campus non-life-threatening emergencies, contact Dartmouth’s Department of Safety and Security (DoSS) at (603)-646-4000.
• Anonymous Online Reporting Form. If you are a witness to, or directly impacted by a bias incident, you can report it anonymously. Submitted reports are not monitored 24/7. For a 24/7 response, please contact the Department of Safety and Security (DoSS) at (603)-646-4000.
• LiveSafe App. This app allows you to notify Dartmouth’s Department of Safety and Security (DoSS) 24/7 by phone or text, with the option to send photos, voice messages, and video messages, with an option report anonymously. You can also call 911 from the app (not anonymously).
• Sexual Assault Peer Alliance (SAPA). This group of trained Dartmouth students provides informed, empathic, and empowerment-based support to students impacted by sexual and gender-based violence. 
• Title IX Office. Contact our office to get services and support for any sexual or gender-based harassment, sexual assault, sexual exploitation, dating, domestic violence or stalking incident.
• WISE of the Upper Valley. WISE is a local nonprofit that supports survivors of gender-based violence, including relationship violence, sexual violence and stalking. Dartmouth has a long-standing partnership with WISE that designates an advocate to work specifically with members of the Dartmouth community.  Any Dartmouth affiliate who has experienced sex or gender-based harm can easily schedule free, confidential appointments with a WISE advocate at their campus office or at the WISE office in Lebanon. WISE advocates are completely confidential and well-versed in both Dartmouth and community supports and resolution paths, and are available 24/7 through their crisis line at 866-348-9473.

Sexual health is an important aspect of overall health and wellness. You can find information, support, and resources at Health Services and the Student Wellness Center. Here is a selection of those resources: 

• Sexual Health Information. Access educational information on sexual health (including LGBTQIA+ resources), sexual decision-making, sexually transmitted infections, sexual pleasure and erotica, HIV/AIDS, HPV vaccination, abstinence, contraception, abortion, sexual assault, stalking, and relationship violence.
• Dick’s House Primary Care can answer questions that you may have pertaining to sexual health and can offer a variety of contraception options and services (e.g., IUDs, oral contraceptive pills, Nexplanon, and others).
• Ask a Nurse. The inpatient nursing department (IPD) at Dick’s House is open 24/7 to all students (undergraduate, graduate, and professional students) during the undergraduate academic terms. The IPD nursing team can answer questions by phone or in-person and can provide supplies and/or healthcare, such as:
  • Treatment for urinary tract infections (UTIs)
  • Safer sex supplies
  • Emergency contraception
  • Pregnancy tests
• 24/7 Sexual Health Supplies
  • The 24/7 vending machine at Dick’s House has sexual healthcare supplies such as pregnancy tests available for purchasing using Dartmouth Dash payment.
  • The inpatient nursing department (IPD) at Dick’s House, open 24/7 to all students (undergraduate, graduate, and professional students) during the undergraduate academic terms, can provide sexual healthcare supplies.
  • Some local businesses sell safer sex supplies, such as the 24/7 CVS located at 79 S. Main Street
• Safer Sex Bar. You can access free safer-sex supplies by visiting the Student Wellness on the first floor in Berry Library (Berry 179). The bar is stocked with a variety of free supplies including internal and external condoms, dental dams, lubricant, and pregnancy tests.
• Confidential STI Testing. Dick’s House Primary Care offers confidential sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening. The Happy Hour outreach program offers free screening for STIs, sexual health education, and access to safer-sex supplies, which student organizations can request by contacting Dick’s House Primary Care. You’ll get your test results via secure messaging within 48 hours.
• Emergency Contraception. Emergency contraception refers to methods of contraception that can be used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected penile-vagial sexual intercourse. Plan B, which is one type of emergency contraception, is available for free at the Dick’s House pharmacy and the inpatient nursing department. If you weigh over 160 pounds (72.7 kg), Dick’s House Primary Care recommends that you contact the Inpatient Nursing Department for further guidance. Emergency contraception is also commonly sold at private pharmacies, such as CVS, and available for free at some local Upper Valley businesses like Still North Books.

Getting a consistent, good night’s sleep can go a long way towards supporting your physical and mental health. Even making small changes to your sleep routine can quickly add up to big improvements.

Learn more about signs and causes of sleep problems.

A few tips for better sleep are:

• Get up at about the same time every morning.
• Establish a relaxing pre-sleep routine before bed.
• Stop drinking caffeine four hours before bedtime.
• Don’t watch videos, work or read in bed.
• Avoid electronics and screens for at least 30 minutes before bed.
• Consider using a sleep mask and/or ear plugs to block out light and sound.

Also consider learning more about these sleep topics:

• Make the Most of Your Nap
• Sleep and Memory Tips
• Mindfulness & Solving Sleep Problems

And, of course, don’t forget to try out some of the free resources available to you as a Dartmouth student:

• Earplugs. Pick up free, disposable earplugs at the Student Wellness Center (Berry 179).
• Headspace App. Try some of the meditations recommended for sleep
• iRest to Refresh. Learn about several sleep resources, such as how you can attend a yoga nidra session for deep relaxation, schedule a primary care appointment or wellness check-in, or start a REFRESH sleep course.

There are many reasons why a student may need to take Time Away from Dartmouth.

When students experience challenges that impact their health and wellness, they may consider taking Time Away for Medical Reasons (TAMR). TAMR provides a supportive environment for students whose health and wellness challenges have impacted their academic progress. It allows a temporary break from studies, enabling students to address their challenges while accessing resources, support, and assistance that may be unavailable while actively engaged in their academic program.

To explore the TAMR process further, please speak to the Director of Time Away. A meeting to discuss TAMR is intended to ensure students have all the information they need to make an informed decision. When requesting a TAMR, the process does not start until the student initiates it. You can learn more about the TAMR policy and process by visiting the Time Away website.   

If you prefer, undergraduate students can connect with their dean (in the Undergraduate Dean’s Office), and graduate/professional students can connect with their advisor or dean within their specific school to explore options and ask questions before contacting the Director of Time Away.