Open Door Services Continue to Provide Services on HutchCC Campus

By Lizzie Rush
Staff writer
IG: @liz.rush

The Open Door Services are at Hutchinson Community College to help end the stigma of Sexually Transmitted Infections and young pregnancy.

Despite 1 in 5 people in the United States having an STI, many young adults still find it an uncomfortable topic to discuss or are too embarrassed to get the help they need. The Open Door Services, located east of Lockman Hall, are available to students every Tuesday from 9am to 1pm, free of charge.

“At Open Door Health Services, we genuinely care for overall health and aim to provide valuable information to educate, empower, and equip students so they can make a well-informed decision. All of our services are free of charge as well as confidential, non-judgmental, and non-discriminatory,” said Client Services Coordinator, Jenni Nisly.

The mobile services include STI testing as well as treatments, pregnancy tests, and many other educational resources to students in need of help. Nisly shared that they also provide a program called Choices IRL that aims to educate students about sexual health. The services are confidential and all information shared in the mobile van stays in the mobile van.

College students remain in one of the highest demographics for contracting STI’s and the Open Door Services hopes they can help young adults feel more comfortable getting help and educating themselves about the importance of proper sexual wellness.

“I think the service is important so that students struggling with those kinds of things don’t have to be afraid and go through it alone,” said Haven sophomore Mariah Piña

Students are able to get in contact with the service by simply walking up to the door and knocking. Most appointments last about 30 minutes and results can be found back at van within the next 10 days for STI results and the same day for pregnancy tests.

The service doesn’t just provide testing, but they also want to end the stigma associated with sexual wellness by educating students about how to stay safe. They strive to not only help students physically, but also mentally.

“We are passionate about health and wellness for the whole person and believe that you are more than a test result. When you come to the mobile we are here to answer questions regarding relationships, safe dating, healthy boundaries, in addition to providing the testing that you need,” Nisley said.

If students are unable to make it to the van on Tuesdays, they can contact Open Door Services by visiting their clinic located at 315 West 1st Avenue, or by calling them at (620) 728-2229. Many STI’s don’t reveal any symptoms so it is important for students to get regularly tested when being sexually active.

“We are here for you, and you are not alone,” Nisly said.

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