Community Health Promotion

The community health promotion office utilizes a harm-reduction approach to address student alcohol concerns. The following interventions are designed to provide students with resources to make safer choices:

Party Positive:

• Identify the signs and symptoms of alcohol poisoning and intoxication
• Learn to reduce high-risk drinking behavior among peers
• Intervene in situations that could become dangerous
• Monitor and host registered campus events

Safer Sipping – An annual tabling event that educates students about standard drink sizes, alcohol poisoning and intoxication, intervening in emergency situations, the sober curiosity movement, and drink refusal skills.

The Art of Friendship:

• Practiceand learn conversation techniques to strengthen friendships and network with others
• Learn ways to expand your social circle
• Identify various levels of friendship and how to build at each level

Health Equity Focus Groups

• Collect data to drive programs that eliminate barriers to well-being services based on race/ethnicity/language, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, income and other factors
• Discuss ways to increase access to services for equity-deserving student groups

 Let’s Lunch:

We’ve all been there:

• A friend cancels lunch plans at the last minute
• Our class schedules don’t line up with regular mealtimes
• We’re trying to meet people outside of our regular friend group

Whatever your reason, join other students who want to eat together!

*This program occurs on Mondays, 5 pm – 6 pm, and Fridays, 12 pm – 1 pm. Students meet in Lowry 144 in groups led by a peer health educator.

Active Minds: Validate, Appreciate, Refer (V-A-R)

• Validate the feelings of others by practicing empathetic listening skills and exercises
• Provide affirmation and appreciation for openness and vulnerability
• Refer peers to wellness services when they need additional support

 QPR: Suicide Prevention:

• Identify at-risk individuals for mental health issues
• Recognize warning signs of suicidal ideation
• Practice having difficult conversations and ask about suicidal ideation
• Learn 3 simple steps to question, persuade, and refer people to get help

Intro to Mindfulness and Wellness Resources:

• Learn simple ways to manage stress using mindfulness and deep breathing
• Learn how to implement healthy habits into your daily life
• Learn about Wellness resources and how to access them

Lunch Hour Yoga at the Scot Center Hot Box:

• All-Levels Vinyasa Yoga – Tuesdays, 11:00 am – 11:50 am
This moderately paced, all-levels class will help students build strength and flexibility through a series of postures linked by breath. The session will end with deep relaxation. Class is taught by Annie Yoder, Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT 500) and musician.

• Beginner and Intermediate Yoga – Thursdays, 11:00 am – 11:50 am
This all-levels class will start with basic yoga postures and flows, and then transition into intermediate level poses throughout the semester. Elements of relaxation and visualization will be included. Class is taught by Rachel David, certified yoga and mindfulness teacher (RYT 200) and director of community health promotion

Sex on the Quad: Sexual Health and Wellness Fair

• Learn about various forms of contraception and how to use them
• Learn about wellness resources available on campus and in the community
• Practice conversation starters on sexual health and consent

 Hot Scots in Your Area:

• How to approach someone you’reinterested in: We’ll give you tips on how to start a conversation and show your interest in a respectful way
• How to plan a date:We’ll cover ideas for fun and affordable dates that will help you get to know each other better
• How to communicate effectively:We’ll talk about how to keep the lines of communication open and how to set boundaries
• Consent and Sex:Giving and receiving consent, and sexual health resources
• Rejection:We’ll give you tips on how to tell someone you’re not interested in continuing to date, and we’ll talk about how to move on from a relationship

Heartbreak How-To: Navigating a Breakup

• Learn coping skillsto deal with a romantic, friend, or familial breakup
• Learnhow to feel comfortable with choosing to date or staying single
• Learn what Wellness resources can help make the breakup process easier

Better Bedtimes:

• Identify factors that impact sleep health and why sleep is important in college
• Discuss the value in having a sleep routine
• Create a personalized sleep routine to get better rest

Mindfulness for Sleep Health:

• A 3-session or 1-session workshop series designed to teach students relaxation and mindfulness practices
• Learn to relax and ease into a mindset that will promote rest
• Identify ways to incorporate restorative yoga postures into daily life

Eat, Sleep, Repeat: Sleep and Nutrition:

• Learn about nutrients that promote sleep health
• Learn ways to incorporate foods into diet that lead to more balance
• Create a balanced plate using Lowry dining hall hacks

Accessing Wellness Center Resources:

• Identify medical, counseling, and community health resources at the wellness center
• Learn how to make wellness appointments
• Access the student care center, a space with over-the-counter meds, giveaways, sexual health items, and other resources
• Learn about TimelyCare, Wooster’s telehealth service

As an important part of the office of community health promotion, Peer health educators promote wellness, plan events, collect data, and connect students to health-related resources.

Topics include:

• Alcohol Abuse Prevention and Education
• Effective Communication and Relationships
• Exercise and Nutrition
• Self-Compassion and Mental Health Promotion
• Sexual Health
• Sexual Respect
• Sleep Health
• Stress Management, Mental Health, and Suicide Prevention