Rensselaer promotes, maintains, and improves individual and community health by teaching students individually and collectively how to take an active role in their own health care, while placing an emphasis on social justice, equity, diversity and inclusion.
Health promotion initiatives at Rensselaer utilize comprehensive, trauma-informed, evidence-based best practices to improve health knowledge, behaviors, and skills of Rensselaer students, thereby enhancing academic success. It is our goal to lead students to positive change and/or reinforce existing knowledge, behaviors, and skills that support overall physical and mental health and wellness.
Programs & Topics Covered (include, but not limited to):
- Alcohol and Other Drugs
- Mental Health
- Healthy Eating & Movement
- Sexual Health & Safer Sex
- Sleep Hygiene
- Human Sexuality
- Interpersonal Violence
- Self-Care & Wellness
- Bystander Intervention Training
To request a confidential, one-on-one consultation or wellness workshop/training for your student club or organization on any of these topics or any other topics of interest, email us!
Initiatives and Services
Follow us on social media for breaking health news, flu clinic information, health awareness campaigns, wellness workshop information, mental health resources, and more!
Instagram: rpi.studenthealth
Discord: https://discord.gg/8DZJJ38zWj
Facebook: RPI Student Health Services
Wellness workshops are free and available to all RPI undergraduate and graduate students. For a listing of spring 2025 wellness workshops, click here: https://adobe.ly/4hyiQcQ
For questions about wellness workshops or to request a wellness program for your student club, email us!
The RPI Rainbow Connection supports the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ+) campus community at Rensselaer. The RPI Rainbow Connection is housed on a Discord server, providing a virtual space for the RPI queer community and allies to meet, discuss, share, inquire, and inspire!
The RPI LGBTQ+ Mentoring Network is housed on the RPI Rainbow Connection Discord server. This program pairs "mentors" ("out" LGBTQ+ staff, faculty, and alumni) and "mentees" (LGBTQ+ undergraduate and graduate students) in mentoring relationships.
For more information or to request an invitation to this Discord server, contact Tara R. Schuster.
Rensselaer’s Bystander Intervention Training was first developed in fall 2013 by the Student Health Center and Counseling Center, utilizing evidence-based research to teach students skills that can be used to safely intervene in situations involving, but not limited to substance misuse, sexual misconduct, mental health emergencies, and hazing. Keeping oneself and others safe while intervening is prioritized.
To request a training for your student club or organization, email us!
The number of drug overdose and opioid-involved deaths continues to rise in the United States. More than six out of 10 drug overdose deaths involve an opioid (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
Watch this brief video: How To Administer Narcan
To request a Narcan Training for your student club/organization, email us!
Click here for information about local and online Narcan trainings, and a directory of substance use treatment providers.
Learn more about Narcan, Fentanyl, and Xylazine:
OFFICE OF HEALTH PROMOTION SUPPORT
The Office of Health Promotion employs a health educator who is available to meet with students in a one-on-one setting to confidentially discuss questions and/or concerns related to alcohol and/or other drug use. To schedule a confidential appointment, email Tara R. Schuster.
Additionally, the Office of Health Promotion provides educational programming on alcohol and/or other drugs. If you're part of a student club or organization and would like to request educational programming, email us!
ALCOHOL AND DRUG FOUNDATION: DRUG WHEEL
The Drug Wheel classifies drugs as part of seven general categories: Stimulants, Depressants, Cannabinoids, Psychedelics, Opioids, Dissociatives, and Empathogens. Learn more information about various drugs and their effects.
COMMUNITY PEER SUPPORT PROGRAMS
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Meetings
Al-Anon of the Greater Capital District
Marijuana Anonymous (MA) Meetings
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) Meetings
LOCAL TREATMENT CENTER
Conifer Park - Troy Outpatient Clinic
Phone: (518) 274-5143
Fax: (518) 273-1350
Address: 2435 Sixth Ave., Troy, NY 12180
Pre-matriculation, all incoming freshmen and transfer students are required to complete two online educational programs, AlcoholEdu for College and Sexual Assault Prevention for Undergraduates. AlcoholEdu for College assesses individual risk, covers campus and federal policies, addresses harm-reduction (including abstinence), and covers on- and off-campus resources. Sexual Assault Prevention for Undergraduates covers sexual misconduct, campus and federal policies, and reviews on- and off-campus resources.
In December of 2024, Rensselaer earned the highly regarded Campus Prevention Network (CPN) Seal of Prevention. The CPN Seal of Prevention is awarded to institutions that demonstrate a commitment to using evidence-based prevention strategies in their programming, particularly focused on areas like student safety, well-being, and community building, often through digital platforms.
Members of Rensselaer's Student Health Advisory Council, or SHAC, help foster a strong relationship with the general student body, and will assist in improving the Student Health Center’s services.
The Council often seeks new members for each school year, so any students who are interested in becoming part of something larger than themselves are encouraged to contact Health Educator, Lauryn Maleski.
