As students navigate a busy semester, medical and mental health experts emphasize that a few basic preventative steps and awareness of campus resources can significantly improve well-being. For students at Indiana University Indianapolis and Purdue University–Indianapolis, the right check-ups and timely access to care can help prevent small issues from becoming major obstacles.
Routine physicals, up-to-date immunizations, sexual‐health screenings and mental‐health evaluations should be front-of-mind. At IU Indianapolis, the clinic website explains:
“We can handle most of your medical concerns … We offer physical exams for school or personal reasons, and we can also help with sprains, joint pain, back pain, sports injuries, abrasions, and lacerations.”
The website also notes that students can access their medical information any time using the free and confidential patient portal.
In the shared Indianapolis campus environment, resources between the two universities are coordinated.
According to a joint announcement, “Purdue students can access medical services at IU Indianapolis Campus Health. Students can walk into the clinic in Lockefield Village (980 Indiana Ave., first floor) or call to make an appointment.”
What should students get checked?
- Immunizations and screenings – Many programs at both campuses require proof of vaccination (MMR, meningitis, hepatitis B, Tdap, etc).
- Annual physical exam and basic labs – Establishing a baseline in early college years helps with early detection of issues (e.g., blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose).
- Sexual and reproductive health – IU Indianapolis Campus Health states it provides cervical cancer screenings (PAP testing), contraception advising and prescriptions, STI counseling and testing, free rapid HIV testing, free pregnancy testing and access to HIV PrEP.
- Mental health and wellness – While the clinics emphasize physical care, health-wellness pages stress mental health resources, stress management and student support programs.
Student perspective
Sophomore engineering major Tim Collins at Purdue-Indianapolis says that once he discovered the campus student health portal, he scheduled his annual check‐up, confirmed his vaccine status and booked an initial counseling screening – steps he says saved him stress ahead of midterms. He found the process straightforward and appreciated being able to access lab results online.
“The whole process was very easy,” Collins said. “Having resources on campus is so helpful … When I get sick or need anything I don’t have to drive all the way home.”
How to access the resources
- IU Indianapolis – Campus Health: Located at Lockefield Village, first floor (980 Indiana Ave.). Call 317-274-8214 to make an appointment. Walk-in vists are available on a first-come basis.
- Purdue–Indianapolis – Student Health (PUSH): Students enrolled in the student health plan are encouraged to use PUSH as initial contact for non-emergency care.
- Remember to check if your student health fee covers mental health visits, what your insurance covers for off-campus specialists and how to book preventive visits.
Why it matters for college students
College years often bring changes in sleep patterns, diet, stress, substance use, and sexual activity – all of which influence health. Preventive care becomes crucial when combinations of factors such as poor sleep, high stress and low exercise create risk. Early use of campus health services helps intercept issues before they derail academics.
This reporting is made possible by a grant from the Indianapolis African-American Quality of Life Initiative, empowering our community with essential health insights. https://iaaqli.org/
Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.
Hanna Rauworth is the Health & Environmental Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper, where she covers topics at the intersection of public health, environmental issues, and community impact. With a commitment to storytelling that informs and empowers, she strives to highlight the challenges and solutions shaping the well-being of Indianapolis residents.
