Become a Peer Educator!

Are you an IUPUI student interested in health and wellness? Do want to be a part of a group that encourages and educates other students to live life well? Become a Peer Educator! Student Health Services is looking for interested students to become Peer Educators. All students no matter what their major or program are invited to join.


Peer Educators are students who serve as leaders and role models to fellow students regarding living responsibly and healthy lifestyles. Peer Educators assist with programming across campus to educate students about relevant issues that affect our campus community including sexual health, alcohol awareness, and nutrition and fitness. There are many great benefits to becoming a Peer Educator. Peer Educators receive training on various topics (sexual health, alcohol, stress management, etc.), programming experience, presentation skills, and leadership development.

A CALL OUT MEETING is scheduled for Wednesday Dec. 7th from 4:00 – 4:30 pm in Campus Center 213. Come learn more about this new exciting opportunity at IUPUI! Applications will be due towards the beginning of the Spring semester. If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Emily Werner at wernere@iupui.edu or call (317) 274-WELL.

 

World Aids Day

World Aids Day is Thursday Dec. 1st!

Did you know that 1 in 5 Americans living with HIV doesn’t know it? The CDC recommends everyone get tested for HIV/AIDS each year as a matter of routine health care. Know your status-get yourself tested!

Now is your opportunity to get tested and know your status for FREE. Student Health Services is sponsoring Free HIV/STD testing on the first Thursday of each month. The next testing will be on Thursday Dec. 1st from 11:00 am to 1:30 pm in the Campus Center, CE 148.

Testing is free, safe and confidential. No appointment necessary. The testing is conducted by the Bellflower Clinic and the Damien Center. This will be the last testing date of the Fall 2011 semester.

For more information, please visit our website at http://health.iupui.edu/, email Emily Werner at wernere@iupui.edu or call 317-274-WELL. You can also stop by Campus Center Student Health in Campus Center 213 for more information, to talk to the Wellness Educator, or to pick up your free Safe Sex Kits. Free testing is sponsored by Student Health Services, part of the Division of Student Life.

Five Keys for Quitting

The Great American Smokeout is on Thursday November 17th and IUPUI is encouring everyone to give up smoking and tobacco for 24 hours. GASO events are co-sponsored by Student Health Services and the Student Wellness Coalition with help from H195 Principles and Applications of Lifestyle Wellness.

Do you need some tips? Read on to learn more!

Five Keys for Quitting

1. Get Ready
• Set a quit date.
• Change your environment.
• Get rid of ALL cigarettes and ashtrays in your home, car, and place of work.
• Don’t let people smoke in your home.
• Review your past attempts to quit. Think about what worked and what did not.
• Once you quit, don’t smoke – NOT EVEN A PUFF!

2. Get Support and Encouragement
• Studies have shown that you have a better chance of being successful if you have help.
• Tell your family, friends, and coworkers that you are going to quit and want their support.
• Ask them not to smoke around you, and ask them to put their cigarettes out of sight.
• Talk to your health care provider (for example, doctor, dentist, nurse, pharmacist, psychologist, or smoking counselor).
• Get individual, group, or telephone counseling. Programs are given at local hospitals and health centers. Call 1-800-227-2345 for information about programs in your area.

3. Learn New Skills and Behaviors
• Try to distract yourself from urges to smoke. Talk to someone, go for a walk, or get busy with a task.
• When you first try to quit, change your routine. For example, use a different route to work.
• Do something to reduce your stress. Take a hot bath, exercise, or read a book.
• Plan something enjoyable to do every day.
• Drink a lot of water and other fluids.

4. Get Medication and Use It Correctly
Medications can help you stop smoking and lessen the urge to smoke. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved medications to help you quit smoking:
Ask your health care provider for advice and carefully read the information on the package.

5. Be Prepared for a Relapse or Difficult Situations
Most relapses occur within the first three months after quitting. Don’t be discouraged if you start smoking again. Remember, most people try several times before they finally quit for good. Here are some difficult situations to watch for:

• Alcohol – Avoid drinking alcohol. Drinking lowers your chances of success.
• Other smokers – Being around smoking can make you want to smoke.
• Weight gain – Many smokers will gain weight when they quit, usually fewer than 10 pounds. Eat a healthy diet and stay active. Don’t let weight gain distract you from your main goal – quitting smoking. Some quitsmoking medications may help delay weight gain.
• Bad mood or depression – There are a lot of ways to improve your mood other than smoking.

If you are having problems with any of these situations, talk to your doctor or other health care provider or call
the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345.