Personal Well-being



It is extremely important to maintain your personal well-being as you face the academic rigors of University life which can be demanding, stressful and overwhelming.  JMU has a number of excellent resources to assist in creating and maintaining a healthy personal well-being.  These resources are available to all JMU students free of charge (except if otherwise noted, i.e. massages at UREC).      

University Recreation Center

“Motivate Madison into Motion” is the goal of JMU’s Recreation Center (UREC).  They provide a wide variety of facilities (weight room, exercise equipment, swimming pool, etc.), programs (intramural sports, adventure, etc.), classes (aquatics, fitness, etc.), and events (5K Run/Walk, UREC Beach Party, Reach out Climb, etc.) to the JMU community.  Check out their web site for a complete list of facilities, programs, classes, and events.  

Health Center

JMU has a full-service on-campus Health Center available to address your health needs. The Center offers immunizations, appointments with doctors and/or nurses, allergy medication, prescriptions, nutrition information, advice and other medical services.  For an appointment call:  (540)568-6178

Student Wellness & Outreach 

Student Wellness and Outreach (SWO) coordinates university-wide health promotion programs and initiatives on a variety of health and wellness topics, such as general wellness and nutrition, disordered eating, sexual assault prevention, sexual health, relationships, substance abuse, and stress management.  SWO accomplishes this through the use of evidence-based practices centered on education, prevention, and empowerment in making healthy lifestyle choices.  Individual and group counseling, referrals and crisis support services are available especially in the areas of sexual assault and relationships.

 Office of Sexual Assault and Prevention

Student Wellness & Outreach provides advocacy, referrals, and support for students who are survivors of sexual assault and their significant others and friends.  These services are provided to all students, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, or when the assault occurred.  Contact information:  Montpelier Hall, 5th floor or (540)568-2831.

Counseling & Student Development Center

Studying outside one’s home country can be very exciting. However, you may be faced with a lot of decisions and choices, you may find yourself having difficulties relating to others or finding individuals who can relate to you as well as feeling lonely. If you were at home, you would talk with a family member or a trusted friend, but these people are not available to you here!

The Counseling & Student Development Center can help! No problem is too big or small. In the past, international students have come to the CSDC to talk about:

  • Culture Adjustment/shock,
  • Academic Problems related to adjusting to a new system, and/or not doing as well as you expected,
  • Learning New Skills to better understand and communicate with professors and classmates
  • Discrimination or not being understood if English is a second language
  • Dating issues or concerns regarding sexuality or sex
  • Difficulties with time management or finances
  • Feelings of loneliness and homesickness

Contact information: (540) 568-6552