Wellness Peer Educators support and promote the mission of the Student Wellness Program. The mission of the Student Wellness Program is to “provide and coordinate data-driven wellness programs to promote the academic and personal progress of students.” Wellness Peer Educators provide assistance to address the most critical needs of students as revealed by local or national data in order to increase healthy behavior and knowledge of health related risk factors.
Wellness Peer Educators
- Provide a “student voice” and perspective to the Student Engagement, Enrichment, and Development professional staff, Director of Health Services and Director of Counseling Services.
- Develop and present wellness education programs and activities in residence halls and other areas on campus.
- Design marketing to educate and inform Austin College students about wellness programs and issues.
- Design bulletin boards and circulate educational materials.
- Assist with maintaining department Facebook page.
- Plus additional responsibilities as assigned.
Some of the programs Wellness Peer Educators assist with are listed below:
Risky Choices
Risky Choices is a series of entertaining and educational vignettes presented by AC students during the Opening of School. The vignettes portray incidents involving alcohol and sexual assault with emphasis on bystander intervention techniques that can be utilized before, during, or after an incident occurs.
The Naked Truth
The Naked Truth is a workshop presented by Wellness Peer Educators to educate students about sexual behavior and sexually transmitted diseases. Students knowledge of STDs and transmission methods are evaluated and improved through a series of quizzes and activities.
Homesickness Week
Homesickness week addresses unresolved feelings of homesickness and how to cope. All students are given a chance to create homemade cards that can be sent to family and friends. Students that are having difficulty dealing with their feelings of homesickness are encouraged to go to Adams Center where they can discuss and work through their feelings with a counselor.
Even ‘Roos Get the Blues | Depression Awareness Week
Depression Week educates students about the prevalence, symptoms and strategies to address depression in its many forms. Students are encouraged to contact Counseling Services if they believe that they could benefit from professional assistance with their depression.
CHANGE (College Helps Acquire New Growing Experiences)
CHANGE is presented to give first year students the opportunity to reflect on the numerous changes that have occurred in their lives since arriving on campus. Upper-class students share personal reflections on their first year and outline for new students changes that can be anticipated throughout the remainder of their first year in college.
Wellness Week
Wellness Week will address several important components of health, including, smoking, nutrition and exercise. Students will be encouraged to think about a healthy lifestyle.
Safe Spring Break
Safe Spring Break encompasses issues that could negatively impact a student’s health during Spring Break. Issues such as: Substance Abuse, Sexual Assault, Drinking and Driving, Sun Exposure etc.
Alcohol Risk Reduction
This programming aims to educate students about how to reduce their risk if they choose to drink alcohol.