It’s gettin’ cold, yo. It’s that puddle-jumping, pea coat-wearing, fireside chat-hosting time of year. A time when we soup lovers spend autumnal afternoons searching for our soupmate: that special someone whose taste in soup is so remarkably similar to ours that when we find them, we’ll never have to eat chili alone again.

On the flip side, if you or anyone you share a bread bowl with comes down with a case of the sniffles, we advise a visit the Tang Center for a flu shot:

Fall Seasonal Flu Shot Schedule:
Wednesday, Oct. 21
Monday, Oct. 26
Thursday, Nov. 5
Monday, Nov. 16
Wednesdsay, Dec. 2

All from 12-6 p.m. at the Tang Center, located at 2222 Bancroft Way, Education Center, on the 1st floor.

For students on the SHIP insurance plan, the shot costs a measly $5—$6 for thimerisol-free. If you waived out of SHIP, a regular vaccine will set you back $25, or $30 for thimerisol-free. Walk-ins welcome for those affiliated with the campus, as well as community members college-age and above.

Image Source: samantha celera under Creative Commons
Tang Center News/Calendar [site]

F*ck, these budget cuts have teeth. Still, the surgeon’s hand must have slipped when it shaved off 23 percent of University Health Services’ annual budget (about $2 million.) No really, faculty pay cuts and student fee hikes are a pain and all, but what are we supposed to do when we get swine flu? See what to expect next time you visit the Tang Center (grab on to your wallet and brace yourself):

UHS figures that between cutting services and raising fees, the latter is probably a healthier option. However, they do plan to boot 20 staff members, so expect longer waits. They will also be introducing an “assessment nurse,” who will give you a speedy once-over and tell you how badly you really need attention. Apart from those structural “adjustments,” business will remain as usual, with the same array of hours and services.

However, there will be fees. Oh, yes:

- New co-pays: Beginning September 21, $15 for Primary Care visits and $30 for Urgent Care.

- The Counseling and Psychological Services department is being expanded (woohoo!) The first five are free; however, from that point on they will now be on a fee-for-service basis.

We guess that’s the bulk of it. That wasn’t so bad now, was it?

Image Source: massdistraction under Creative Commons.
Students to pay new fees for some UHS services [News Center]

So if you’re feeling the gray hairs growing out, the worry wrinkles settling in or the blood pressure climbing off the charts, drop in on the Tang Center and find a peer or professional–whatever you’re into. Apparently, taking care of your mental health is the cool thing to do nowadays.

On a more serious note, if you need help, talk to someone. Anyone. It’ll be worth your time.

Image Source: Hamed Saber under Creative Commons
Tang Center Increases On-Campus Presence of Counseling Services [Daily Cal]