Student Health & Counseling Services: HOPE & Wellness Center

Student Health & Counseling Services: HOPE & Wellness Center The HOPE & Wellness Center is an extension of the SHCS department at CSUSM.

The HOPE & Wellness Center offers information, educational counseling, support, resources, and/or referral services for:

* Alcohol and other drugs
* Contraception
* Dating and domestic violence
* Eating disorders
* HIV and other s*xually transmitted infections
* Nutrition and fitness
* Relationships
* S*xual assault and r**e
* S*xual harassment
* S*xual health
* Smoking cessation
* Stress management
* And other health issues

February is National Condom Month! FREE Rapid Testing for HIV and HEP C is available at SHCS in partnership with Vista C...
02/03/2026

February is National Condom Month! FREE Rapid Testing for HIV and HEP C is available at SHCS in partnership with Vista Community Clinic!

📅Thursday, February 5th
⏲️@ 2-4 pm

Testing is confidential and you will receive a free safe s*x kit!

*x

(Image description: pink background with graphic of college students on the right bottom corner, hots on top of paper and VCC logo on the bottom left corner with text: February is National Condom Day, Know Your Status-quick, confidential and onsite. Thursday, February 5th, 2026 @ 2-4 pm in SHCS. Free Safe S*x Kit available. For more information DM us or call 760-632-5000 x7000)

To start off Black Excellence Month, we are spotlighting Adrienne Maree Brown, an author, podcaster, s*xual health educa...
02/02/2026

To start off Black Excellence Month, we are spotlighting Adrienne Maree Brown, an author, podcaster, s*xual health educator, and community organizer 🎙️

Adrienne's work spans across books, podcasts, blogs, columns, and community outreach. Examples of her work through s*xual violence advocacy include two books:

🌸Pleasure activism: “reframes s*xual violence prevention by centering bodily autonomy, enthusiastic consent, and healing, showing that a culture grounded in joy and self-determination leaves less room for coercion and harm”
📖 https://www.akpress.org/pleasure-activism.html

🌷We Will Not Cancel Us: “explores transformative justice as an alternative to punishment, emphasizing survivor support, accountability, and community-based responses to harm in ways that contribute to s*xual violence prevention by addressing concerns that allow abuse to occur”
📖 https://commonslibrary.org/book-review-we-will-not-cancel-us/

⭐️ Connect with Adrienne ⭐️
Instagram:
Website:
adriennemareebrown.net

📒Columns: https://adriennemareebrown.net/columns/
🎬Projects: https://adriennemareebrown.net/projects/
🗣️Podcasts: https://adriennemareebrown.net/podcasts/
💻Blog: https://adriennemareebrown.net/blog/

(Image Description: Black swirls on corners, "Black excellence month", photo of Adrienne Maree Brown, "author, podcaster, and community organizer, on Instagram, CSUSM SHCS logo.")

Struggling with stress, self-doubt, anxiety, or a crazy schedule? In moments where we feel we could have done better, or...
02/02/2026

Struggling with stress, self-doubt, anxiety, or a crazy schedule? In moments where we feel we could have done better, or that everything is stacked against us, it can be easy to get down on ourselves. 🌸

We might not be able to change our circumstances right away, but there’s hope! We can change our mindset! When you catch yourself thinking negatively, switch up your wording to remind yourself that you are valid, a work in progress, and deserving of compassion from yourself and others. And guess what? You might find that when you do, things slowly begin to fall into place. 💗

Your mental health matters, so be kind to your mind. 🙂🧠

Welcome back Cougars! 💙🐾As we get back into the swing of things here on campus, it is completely normal to feel anxiety ...
02/01/2026

Welcome back Cougars! 💙🐾

As we get back into the swing of things here on campus, it is completely normal to feel anxiety coming back to school. At the Student Health and Counseling Center, we have numerous resources to help you cope with anxiety symptoms. Visit our website, and our counselors are more than willing to help!

https://www.csusm.edu/shcs/index.html
☎️ (760) 750-4915
➡️ (After hours press 2)

Let's have a great semester and remember to take care of yourself first!

[image desc: colorful text bubbles with information on how to deal with test anxiety as the semester starts]

Hey Cougars! We hope you’re having a good start to the semester! 😎🥳📚A new semester (and a new year!) can feel refreshing...
01/26/2026

Hey Cougars! We hope you’re having a good start to the semester! 😎🥳📚
A new semester (and a new year!) can feel refreshing, but can also feel a little overwhelming - so we want to remind you that caring for your mental health as a student is just as important as grades or work.

Swipe for 8 tips to keep your mental health in check and crush the semester like a champion! 💪🎉

(Image description: Head outline with "New year, new semester: caring for your mental health as a student" with a brain and flower blooming from it, light pink background, with SHCS Logo).

&Wellness

💙 Welcome back, Cougars!If your brain is still on winter break mode, that’s okay.If you’re excited, anxious, or somewher...
01/20/2026

💙 Welcome back, Cougars!

If your brain is still on winter break mode, that’s okay.
If you’re excited, anxious, or somewhere in between, that’s okay too.
SHCS is here to support your mental and physical well-being — one step, one conversation, one deep breath at a time.

You’ve got this, and we’ve got you! To schedule an appt, please call us at 760-750-4915. Wishing you a successful spring semester!

(Image description: a background with collages of pictures of people, animals and nature with a text bubble: Welcome back Cougars. Spring Semester Reminder: You don’t have to have it all figured out.)

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.Today is a reminder that our collect...
01/19/2026

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Today is a reminder that our collective freedom is intertwined. When one community is harmed, all of us feel the impact. Justice isn’t passive — it’s a daily commitment to equity, courage, and compassion.

May we honor Dr. King not just with words, but with action, solidarity, and the willingness to stand up for what’s right.

Reminder, SHCS is CLOSED on Monday, January 19th in observance of MLK holiday. We will re-open on Tuesday, January 20th. If you have a medical emergency, please visit the nearest ER or call 911.

(Image Description: White background with a picture of MLK on the right side, top says Honoring Martin Luther King, Jr with a quote on the left "Injustice anywhere, is a threat to justice everywhere.")

💙As healthcare providers, counselors, educators, and advocates, we know that not being able to meet nutritional and basi...
01/07/2026

💙As healthcare providers, counselors, educators, and advocates, we know that not being able to meet nutritional and basic needs can impact our physical, mental, and overall wellness. Everyone is deserving of food! ⁠
⁠
🍎We included some North County food resources here. Please note that this is not a comprehensive list. ⁠
⁠
🥪To search for more off-campus food distribution sites and resources near you, you can visit feedingsandiego.org. ⁠
⁠
🥕You can also search or dial "2-1-1" to learn about resources for basic needs near you.⁠
⁠
🌯There are on-campus resources available for currently enrolled students (see last slide). Cougar Care Network, ASI Cougar Pantry (opens again first day of classes), the ASI Emergency Fund, and Swipe Out Hunger program are available for CSUSM students. ⁠
⁠
[Image description: Dark green title reads, "Food Resources: North County San Diego" and includes a list of food resource sites within North County (most can be found at feedingsandiego.org). Images of food are shown on the left side of the page including colorful vegetables, a can of soup, strawberry, a bag of bread, a can of pineapples, an apple, and jars of peanut butter and jelly.]⁠
⁠

Wishing every student a year filled with clarity, confidence, and community. May 2026 bring you balance, joy, and the co...
01/01/2026

Wishing every student a year filled with clarity, confidence, and community. May 2026 bring you balance, joy, and the courage to chase what matters.



(Image Description: blue background with fireworks saying Happy New Year 2026. New Dreams. New Memories. Same Happiness. Let's celebrate the gift of new beginning! May your days be full of color, kindness and laughter that never fades.)

Hey cougars happy holidays! Here are some tips for supporting survivors! Prioritize Safety- Talk privately, not in front...
12/11/2025

Hey cougars happy holidays! Here are some tips for supporting survivors!
Prioritize Safety
- Talk privately, not in front of partners, peers, or students. Avoid pressing for details — details can trigger or overwhelm. Let the person lead the pace.
Create Low-Pressure Connection
- The holidays can be isolating.
Offer gentle check-ins without expectations.
EX: “Thinking of you—no need to reply, just here if you need anything.”
Offer Alternatives to Stressful Traditions
- Some traditions can be triggering.
Provide options so the person doesn’t feel trapped.
EX: “You’re welcome to join us for part of the day, or not at all—whatever feels best.”
Validate, Don’t Pressure
- The holidays can intensify shame, conflict, and trauma memories.
EX:“It’s completely okay to step away or say no.”
Description: Light blue background with white clouds and holiday decor of ornaments, gingerbread, hot chocolate, and a sled

Hey cougars! 🩵This week, on Self-Care Sunday, you’re invited to focus on the idea of time management. If you’re someone ...
12/07/2025

Hey cougars! 🩵

This week, on Self-Care Sunday, you’re invited to focus on the idea of time management. If you’re someone who struggles with staying on track or putting things off (totally normal!), today’s a chance for you to explore a handful of smart, gentle ways to manage your time. ⏱️

Time management is an important ability to have, and to master it means to lower stress for yourself and leave more time for you to engage in activities you enjoy! ❄️

During finals week, time management is crucial, lock in and finish strong! You got this. 🦋

The Student Health & Counseling Services are always available to help.

☎️ 760-750-4915

➡️ Mon-Fri @ 8:00 AM -4:45 PM
(or dial option 2 for After-hours)

SHCS will be closed during the following times. We apologize for any inconvenience. Tuesday, December 2 @ 8-9 amWednesda...
12/01/2025

SHCS will be closed during the following times. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Tuesday, December 2 @ 8-9 am
Wednesday, December 3 @ 8-9 am
Monday, December 8 @ 4-5 pm

We will be open for the rest of the business hours during those dates.

Address

333 S Twin Oaks Valley Road
San Marcos, CA
92078

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:45pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:45pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:45pm
Thursday 8am - 4:45pm
Friday 8am - 4:45pm

Telephone

+17607504915

Website

http://www.csusm.edu/hope, http://twitter.com/csusmHOPE, http://csusmhealth.wordpress.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Student Health & Counseling Services: HOPE & Wellness Center posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Student Health & Counseling Services: HOPE & Wellness Center:

Shortcuts

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram

Category

Our Goal

Our goal at the HOPE & Wellness Center is to provide effective Health Education programs to help students develop healthy behaviors and lifestyle choices. Through the center, we engage students in dialogues about various health topics through workshops, outreach events and one on one educational counseling.