Postdoc Health and Wellness at KU

Balancing personal well-being with the demands of postdoctoral research can be challenging. KU offers a range of resources and services to help you maintain your health, manage stress, and build a supportive community on campus. These tools are designed to support you as you navigate the professional and personal pressures of postdoctoral life.

Mental Health Resources

There are mental health resources at KU and in the broader Lawrence community.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

KU benefits-eligible postdocs have access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which provides free, confidential short-term counseling and mental-health support, plus referrals for ongoing care.

KU Psychological Clinic

The KU Psychological Clinic is open to KU students, faculty and staff and the communities of Kansas and Missouri. We serve all ages for therapy services (individual, couples) and assessment.

Bert Nash Community Health Center

Community mental health center that provides individual and group therapy services, school-based services, psychiatric medication services, case management, homeless outreach, transitional housing, urgent care/crisis services, and more.

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If You Are Having a Mental Health Emergency | Please Access the Following Support Services:

Suicide Hotline:

Headquarters Crisis Center (785) 841-2345

988 Lifeline Chat and Text connects you with caring crisis counselors for emotional support:

To chat with a crisis counselor online 24/7/365, please visit the 988 Lifeline Chat page>>
To text with a crisis counselor, send a text to 988 on your phone.
For Veterans and Service Members: Chat with the Veterans Crisis Line

Lawrence Memorial Hospital emergency room (785) 505-5000

Employee Wellness Resource Hub

A quick guide to KU’s wellness resources for postdocs - from health and counseling services to financial and family support. Use this page to stay connected and access programs that support your well-being at KU.

Employee Wellness Resources

Healthy Living & Recreation at KU

Watkins Health Center

The Watkins Health Services Faculty & Staff Clinic at The University of Kansas provides a dedicated, convenient outpatient care option exclusively for employees. Services include lab work, immunizations, radiology, physical therapy, and acute-care visits, making it an excellent resource for postdocs who need flexible, accessible support while managing busy schedules.

Faculty/Staff Clinic

Ambler Student Recreation Fitness Center

KU Recreation Services offers a wide range of fitness, wellness, and recreational activities to faculty and staff at the Ambler Student Recreation Fitness Center (ASRFC), including group exercise classes, modern training spaces, intramurals, and outdoor programs. These resources provide an easy way to stay active, manage stress, and build community beyond the lab or office.

ASRFC Faculty/Staff Memberships

Lawrence Parks, Recreation and Culture

The Lawrence Parks & Recreation Department offers a wide variety of programs for adult fitness, aquatics, trails, and recreation facilities — perfect for post-docs looking to recharge, move their body, and connect with their community just a stone’s throw from campus. Dive into a class, hit the trails, or grab a membership and make wellness part of your work-week rhythm.

Lawrence Parks and Rec

Robinson Center at KU

The Robinson Center gives KU employees free access to its weight rooms, gym spaces, and sauna facilities, offering an easy way to fit movement and stress relief into a busy workday. It’s a low-key, convenient option right on campus for postdocs who want to stay active without needing a full rec membership. Swing by between meetings or bookend your day with a quick workout in a relaxed, accessible setting.

Robinson Center