Discover practical, on-campus sexual health and wellness support at Northwestern , who to visit, what they offer, and why it matters for every Wildcat navigating relationships, consent and personal care during college.

Essential Takeaways

  • CSAW offers confidential support: one-on-one advocacy, wellness coaching and free safe-sex supplies in Searle Hall.
  • NU Health Services does clinical care: STI testing, contraception, pregnancy tests and routine medical appointments via MyNM.
  • GSRC builds community: a cosy space in Foster-Walker House with events, visibility work and snacks that actually draw a crowd.
  • Peer education matters: SHAPE and MARS run workshops on consent, healthy masculinity and campus prevention efforts.
  • SES provides practical help: first-generation and low-income students can access funding for essentials that ease campus life.

Why students are talking about CSAW first

Walk into Searle Hall and you’ll hear CSAW mentioned in a dozen conversations , it has a calm, practical feel and a pile of discreet freebies. According to Northwestern’s CSAW pages, the centre offers confidential advocacy for students impacted by sexual or relationship violence, plus wellness coaching and sexual-health consultations. That mix of emotional and practical care is what makes it stick in students’ minds.

The office also runs hands-on programmes and bystander training like Red Watch Band, so you don’t just get support; you get tools to help others. If you’re feeling uncertain, start here , staff can point you to appropriate next steps, whether that’s clinical testing, counselling or campus safety resources.

NU Health Services: the clinical hub for sexual and reproductive care

NU Health Services, also based in Searle Hall, is where you book an appointment for STI testing, contraception or pregnancy testing. Appointments go through MyNM, so setting up your account before you need it keeps things smooth when time is tight between classes.

Think of this as the medical side of the map: tests, prescriptions and referrals. The clinic’s services are practical and discreet, which matters when privacy and timing are both at a premium for busy students.

GSRC: community, identity and the free-snack effect

Tucked inside Foster-Walker House 5, the Gender and Sexuality Resource Center is part cosy study nook, part community hub. The centre’s events , from craft nights to discussion circles , combine low-key social time with education and visibility work for LGBTQIA+ students and allies.

Beyond snacks and a soft seat, GSRC’s newsletter and year-round programming help students find people and language that fit their experience. For many, that sense of belonging is as important as any clinical appointment.

Peer educators: SHAPE and MARS make conversations easier

Peer-led groups change the tone of campus conversations. SHAPE runs Sex Week and regular workshops on consent, healthy relationships and sexual health , all delivered by students who’ve been there. MARS focuses on healthy masculinity and allyship, challenging stereotypes and fostering accountability.

These groups are useful whether you want a peer perspective, a low-pressure workshop, or to apply as a peer educator yourself. Student voices can defuse embarrassment and make learning feel normal rather than awkward.

SES and practical supports that keep students on track

Student Enrichment Services supports first-generation and lower-income Wildcats with mentoring and funds for basics, from winter coats to club fees. The SES One Form is a single way to request help for emergencies or essential campus needs, and many upperclassmen say they wish they’d used it sooner.

Practical barriers can derail wellbeing, so this kind of resource matters as much as counselling or testing , it lets students focus on school and self-care without small crises piling up.

How to choose where to go first

If you need medical testing or contraception, book NU Health Services via MyNM. For confidential advocacy, safety planning or to pick up supplies, start with CSAW. If you want community, identity support or low-pressure education, GSRC and peer groups like SHAPE or MARS are good first stops. And if money or basic needs are the issue, SES can help quickly.

A quick tip: save contact details and MyNM login info to your phone when you arrive on campus , you’ll thank yourself later.

It's a small change that can make campus life safer and more comfortable for every Wildcat.

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