Source: Seattle University National College Health Assessment, Undergraduate, 2019
Building healthy relationships is part of a great college experience. Whether they're friendships or romantic relationships, it is important to understand what a healthy relationship looks like and how to recognize an unhealthy relationship.
Makings new friends and maintaining those relationships isn't always easy, but building friendships is well worth the work. Meeting new people can be scary but remember, every friendship looks different.
Friendship can also come when living with someone. Roommate relationships add a layer of complexity to building something new, but putting in hard work and understanding can make a world of difference.
Building healthy relationships includes communication and understanding. It is important to build, explore, and establish healthy patterns of behavior from the start. Having all members of the relationship play equal roles can aid in the longevity and enjoyment of the relationship.
Every relationship will have times that are not so sunny and this can lead to disagreements. Arguments in a relationship are natural, what matters is that every participant fights fair.
It can be hard when a relationship ends or a partner leaves you. It often can be tough to find solid ground after a break-up. Every person has a different way of coping. Wellness and Health Promotion is here to help you put the piece of your life together in a constructive way.
Understanding sexual and reproductive health will help you make the best decisions for yourself. Sexual health includes the physical, mental, and spiritual parts of yourself with a positive, respectful, and consensual approach to sexuality and sexual relationships.
We offer tampons and pads at no charge for students who need them. Stop by our front desk to find out what's currently available. This service is meant to assist students with an unexpected need. If your financial situation doesn't allow for regular access to tampons or pads please speak with us.
Almost a third of SU undergrads choose not to have sex, and 8 out of 10 SU students had 2 or fewer sexual partners over the past year. It is important to understand that only you have control over your sex life.
Sex in college can be complex to navigate, but here is a seafarer's guide to understanding it all.
If you do choose to have sex, it is important to understand what safe sex looks like. Here is a guide to what isn't sex safe, to better know what is. If you are ever questioning what safer sex is, go ask Alice!
STDs affect over 110 million Americans each year… and they are 100% preventable. STDs can vary from lifelong battles to infections like chlamydia and gonorrhea, which can be treated with antibiotics. If you choose to have sex, it's important to get tested on a regular basis and to practice safe sex.
Knowing about STDs, how they are contracted, and what you can do to prevent their transmission allows you to make the healthiest decisions possible! These CDC fact sheets are a simple guide to familiarize yourself with what is out there.
If you're sexually active get tested for STDs regularly and between partners.
HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus and if left untreated, can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Unlike most viruses, your body cannot completely get rid of HIV with treatment. Once you have HIV, it is a lifelong journey. The CDC provides great resources on HIV and AIDS
With modern technology, there are a variety of treatment plans and preventative measures to decrease the spread of HIV.
PrEP stands for Pre-exposure Prophylaxis. PrEP is a pill that you can take once a day to reduce the chances of contracting HIV. PrEP can lower HIV contraction through sex by 90% and can lower contraction through injection drugs by 70%. The Student Health Center can help you determine if PrEP is right for you and can prescribe it.
There are many supportive organizations in Seattle to assist people living with HIV and AIDS. This is not a journey anyone has to take alone.
We believe everyone has a role to play in preventing violence on campus and in the broader community. We want to empower students to be involved in the conversation about violence prevention and to take action through bystander intervention.
Wellness and Health Promotion is the primary office responsible for this work at SU and if you have any questions or ideas, we welcome a conversation.
Voices for Change is an online training program designed to promote a healthier and safer campus environment for everyone. Seattle University requires all incoming students to complete the program prior to attending classes. Voices for Change is divided into four critical areas which students face. Those areas are: living in and supporting an inclusive community, understanding and preventing sexual misconduct through bystander intervention, understanding alcohol and other drugs, and preventing hazing and bullying. This program is just one part of our commitment to these topics. During our students' time at Seattle University, they will have the opportunity to engage in an array of programs and activities that are more in depth explorations of these topics including bystander intervention, examining anti-racist practices, understanding sexual violence myths, risk reduction centered approaches to alcohol and other drugs, among others.
Click here for additional information about Voices for Change
Click here to sign into Voices for Change using Single Sign On
We have an ongoing partnership with the One Love Foundation and offer workshops with trained facilitators from the SU community. These workshops are great for student organization training, team bonding, and class sessions. Facilitators are more than happy to hold a workshop during a class period instead of a faculty member cancelling class.
Escalation (90 Minutes)
The Escalation Workshop is a 90-minute film-based discussion that opens people’s eyes to the warning signs of relationship abuse. The workshop consists of a film, Escalation, followed by a guided discussion led by a trained facilitator from the SU community.
Behind the Post (30-45 Minutes)
Social media can skew our view of the relationships around us and, in some cases, influence our decisions to stay in unhealthy ones. This 30-45-minute workshop explores all 10 signs of an unhealthy relationship and teaches participants how to start the conversation with your friends.
These nationally certified peer health educators host various educational programs every year and are available for private individual conversations. HAWC members are able to discuss resources and options, additionally, they not required to notify the Title IX coordinator of incidents of sexual misconduct unless the student would like that.
We take this annual opportunity to support survivors of sexual violence in our community, educate ourselves, and take an honest look at the work still to be done on campus. Previously we’ve hosted film screenings, community forums, etc.
This signature event is the cornerstone of Sexual Assault Awareness Month and is hosted by the Health and Wellness Crew. This powerful event features a survivor speak out and a march around campus.
This artistic awareness display makes visible the presence of violence in our community in a way that cannot be ignored. Annually, these t-shirts are hung on a clothesline around campus and at Take Back the Night.
A national awareness campaign that Seattle U regularly participates in - designed to emphasize the importance of individuals taking action to keep community members safe from sexual violence.