Student Wellness | Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
School of Medicine students sitting at a table outside of the Lubbock Campus

Boost Mental Health, Fitness, and Academic Success

Welcome to the Office of Wellness at TTUHSC School of Medicine! We’re dedicated to cultivating a positive, inclusive, and nurturing environment where every learner can excel. Through a culture of wellness, we offer resources and foster connections that help students feel valued, empowered, and equipped to reach their full potential. Our mission is to promote resilience, enhance well-being, and cultivate self-compassion. By prioritizing the social, emotional, physical, and mental health of our students, we strive to help them flourish, achieve balance, and find lasting fulfillment throughout their medical school journey and beyond.

What We Offer

Discover services designed to help you succeed while earning your medical degree and beyond. 

Supporting Student Wellness

Mental and emotional wellness are vital components of a successful medical school journey. At TTUHSC School of Medicine, we are committed to providing comprehensive support to help students navigate the challenges of their education while prioritizing their well-being. Our wellness initiatives include engaging didactics on topics such as stress management, mindfulness, and work-life balance, designed to equip students with practical skills for maintaining resilience. Peer support programs foster a sense of community and shared understanding, while our online resources offer accessible tools for self-care and mental health. Additionally, the TTUHSC Counseling Center provides professional, confidential services tailored to the unique needs of medical students. From campus-based resources to institutional self-care programs, we strive to create a supportive environment where students can maintain their emotional health and achieve both personal and professional growth.

Wellness Resources

Therapy Assistance Online (TAO)
Therapy Assistance Online an interactive, self-guided, web-based program that provides well-researched and highly effective strategies for students to help overcome anxiety, depression and other common concerns. With Therapy Assistance Online, students have access to highly effective therapy modules 24/7 and weekly exercises take approximately 30-40 minutes to complete and can be done on a smart phone, tablet or computer.

TTUHSC Counseling Center PAS
The Program of Assistance for Students (PAS) is a resource for our students at TTUHSC that aims to promote health and wellness in their personal and academic lives. The PAS program provides each student up to eight free, confidential counseling sessions per fiscal year. Counseling is available in-person at all clinical campuses, and telehealth is available for all active TTUHSC students in Texas.

Well-Being Index
The Well-Being Index is an online self-assessment tool that offers a quick and comprehensive evaluation of a student’s overall well-being. In just nine targeted questions, students can assess their wellness across six key dimensions, providing valuable insights for students to track their well-being and take proactive steps to enhance their quality of life.

Building Community and Mental Health Together

At TTUHSC, our Peer Support program is designed to foster a strong sense of community and mental well-being among students. By connecting students with trained peers who provide empathetic support and guidance, we create a safe and supportive environment where individuals can thrive academically and personally. Whether it's navigating stress, balancing schoolwork, or seeking advice, our Peer Support program helps students build resilience and maintain their mental health throughout their journey at TTUHSC.

Student Wellness Committee

The Student Wellness Committee at TTUHSC School of Medicine is a student-led initiative dedicated to fostering a culture of health and well-being within the medical school community. The committee works collaboratively to plan events, advocate for wellness resources, and promote programs that address the physical, mental, and emotional needs of their peers. By encouraging open dialogue and creating opportunities for connection, the Student Wellness Committee plays a vital role in supporting a positive and inclusive environment where every student can thrive.

Peer Resiliency Elective Information

The Resiliency Peer Elective, a student-led program under the supervision of Dr. Allison Perrin and Dr. Elisabeth Conser, addresses the need for mental health education and burnout prevention among medical students. The program equips students with evidence-based strategies to manage stress, reduce burnout, and build a supportive wellness network. Through the elective, pre-clinical MS1 and MS2 students receive training based on the CE-CERT model, which focuses on five key domains—experiential engagement, parasympathetic recovery, conscious narratives, decreasing ruminations, and reducing emotional labor. This framework empowers students to navigate emotional challenges with mindfulness and resilience, fostering a foundation for thriving in medical school and beyond.

Enhancing Student Wellbeing through Education and Support

As part of our comprehensive wellness program, TTUHSC School of Medicine offers a robust series of didactics designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the complexities of medical school and beyond. These sessions cover a wide range of topics, including emotional intelligence, building resilience, navigating transitions, and promoting overall well-being. By addressing these essential areas, our wellness didactics empower students to develop the emotional, social, and practical tools needed to maintain balance, resilience, and fulfillment throughout their academic and professional journeys.

Overview Listing of Wellness Topics Covered:
  • Addressing and mitigating burnout
  • Anxiety
  • Assessment and Development of Emotional Intelligence
  • Conflict resolution
  • Cultivating Resilience
  • Facing uncertainty
  • Growth mindset
  • Importance of Self-Care
  • Imposter Experience
  • Managing relationships
  • Managing Stress
  • Mindfulness
  • Navigating grief
  • Recognizing Depression in self and others
  • Resources available to support well-being
  • Risk factors for suicide in health professions
  • Understanding secondary trauma

Additional Resources

 

Your Student Wellness Team

Dr. Elizabeth Conser headshot

Elisabeth Conser, MD

Assistant Dean for Student Wellness and Advancement
2B440
elisabeth.conser@ttuhsc.edu
806.743.3005

Dr. Elisabeth Conser is the Assistant Dean for Student Wellness and Advancement at TTUHSC School of Medicine, a role she has held since 2020. As a proud alumna of TTUHSC School of Medicine, with seventeen years of experience as a general pediatrician and faculty member, Dr. Conser is deeply committed to supporting medical students throughout their academic and personal journeys. She is passionate about helping students succeed by addressing the many dimensions of their academic, emotional, and personal development.

Allison Perrin headshot

Allison Perrin, PhD, MS, LPC

Senior Director for Student Affairs and Student Wellness Programs
2B420
allison.perrin@ttuhsc.edu
806.743.3005

 

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David Trotter, PhD

Assistant Dean for Student Affairs
2B440
david.trotter@ttuhsc.edu
806.743.3005

 

Need Help?

988 logo

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Call or text 988

If you are in crisis and one of the following applies to you:

  • You feel you are in immediate danger of harming yourself.
  • You feel you are in immediate danger of harming someone else.
  • You have recently been assaulted or had a traumatic experience.

Please do one of the following:

  • Call 911 – you will be connected with the police who can help you get emergency services.
  • Call the StarCare Crisis Team 806.740.1414.
  • Go to your local emergency room.
student and counselor in a room sitting
TTUHSC Counseling Center Crisis Line 

806.743.1327

The TTUHSC Counseling Center provides a confidential place where Program of Assistance for Students (PAS)-eligible students can receive support in a time of need. Click here for more resources and information.

Looking for additional support?

Check out our related Student Affairs services in resources.