Pat Walker Health Center: CAPS Transitions to Tele-Mental Health; Medical Clinics Add TeleVisits

As more cases of COVID-19 continue to be identified within the Northwest Arkansas community, Pat Walker Health Center will continue to make operational adjustments to help slow the spread of transmission and support social distancing recommendations.

What You Need to Know:

• Access to the health center is restricted to the West entrance only (parking lot entrance).
• Health Center Hours Reduced – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday
• All visitors (including health center employees) are screened prior to entering the facility.
• Medical Clinics have suspended in-person elective visits and procedures; now offering TeleVisits.
• CAPS has transitioned to tele-mental health services and can be scheduled by calling 479-575-5276.

Medical Clinics Now Offer TeleVisit Appointments
A TeleVisit appointment offers some of the same benefits of an in-person appointment — your provider can assess your symptoms, recommend a plan of care, and can send a prescription to your pharmacy if needed.

"Although in-person medical evaluations are the preferred methods of delivering patient care, we recognize TeleVisits can help alleviate concerns for persons seeking health care services during this unprecedented time," said Dr. Huda Sharaf, medical director of the Pat Walker Health Center. "While not all acute medical needs can be effectively evaluated using TeleVisits, the health center has postponed in-person elective physical exams and procedures to help preserve health care supplies, support social distancing practices and limit the potential for unnecessary exposure to COVID-19."

The health center will continue to offer in-person appointments as needed, however all appointments must be made by phone.

Students, faculty and staff can call the health center to see if a TeleVisit is appropriate for their health care needs — 479-575-4451.

CAPS Transitions to Tele-Mental Health  
In the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak, we recognize this brings a great deal of uncertainty surrounding many aspects of daily life. This can understandably affect a person's mental health.  CAPS is committed to ensuring key mental health resources remain available for students. CAPS services are being provided through tele-mental health in an effort to adopt social distancing measures.

What you need to Know?

• CAPS is currently supporting students through tele-mental health ONLY. Students should not come to the physical office. To schedule an appointment, please call 479-575-5276.
• Staff will continue to provide same-day emergency services during adjusted business hours. Emergency after-hours support: 479-575-5276.
• CAPS will message students with scheduled appointments to provide additional information.
• Group therapy and workshop sessions are cancelled until further notice. CAPS is assessing ways to provide tele-mental health groups.
• CAPS is offering virtual Let's Talk sessions. Call CAPS to sign-up for a Let's Talk virtual session.
• If you are seeking mental health care in your home community, call CAPS for guidance to use your insurance to find a counselor.

Academic Health Plans Student Assistance Plan Available to All Students
Academic Health Plans is providing its Student Assistance Plan to ALL U of A students at no cost for the rest of the spring 2020 semester.

The SAP includes access to a 24/7 Care Center (including weekends and holidays), life and well-being resources and helpful online and mobile tools.

Community Support Needed More Than Ever
It's unclear what we may face in the weeks ahead, but everyone knows COVID-19 will test our capacities to be kind, generous, and to see beyond ourselves and our own interests.

It is perfectly normal to be concerned about the speed with which society is acting to stop the spread of transmission. It is understandable these significant and aggressive actions can lead to increased anxiety. But it is equally important to remember we are all in this together.

"We each share in the responsibility in keeping our community safe," said Mary Alice Serafini, associate vice chancellor for Student Affairs and health center executive director. "The task we are all now faced with is to bring the best of who we are and support one another to the best of our abilities. These are confusing times, but we must proceed with wisdom, compassion and goodwill."