Peer Health Education (PHE) supports students with wellness resources and events around campus in an attempt to help with the balance between personal health, school, and work.
For many students, being in college feels like a constant juggle. Between going to class, keeping up with assignments, staying socially connected, and working, personal wellness takes the backseat more than it should.
Jordan VanHouteghen, the program’s Senior Coordinator and senior nursing major, has been involved in PHE for three years after being connected with PHE at Red Pride Picnic. She now oversees the whole program, but was the Sexual Assault Prevention Coordinator and the Sexual Health Coordinator before this role.
VanHouteghen emphasized that her biggest tip for balancing wellness with school is time management.
“I have found that in all aspects of my life, time management is key,” she said. “By managing and prioritizing what needs to be done, I have been able to stay afloat with my busy schedule for the last three years working for PHE.”
She encourages students who are struggling with stress or anxiety to use the free resources available on campus. VanHouteghen recommends working out at the Ryder Center, walking on the trail in Pine Grove, or talking to a therapist at the Mental Health and Wellness Center.
Brooke Dulock, PHE’s Sexual Responsibility Coordinator and a junior nursing major, joined her freshman year as a volunteer.
“Students are so focused on school, sports, or social commitments that it can be hard to prioritize their health,” she said. “Our goal is to … remind students of the importance of their health.”
PHE covers topics like sexual health, substance use, and sexual assault prevention. VanHouteghen said that these topics aren’t talked about much, yet college-aged adults have some of the highest prevalence.
PHE events, such as Condom Casino and Cover the Cruiser, are designed to combine fun with education to make the topics more approachable. Dulock expressed that these programs are successful because they draw in large numbers of students with their fun aspects while still providing crucial resources and exposure to PHE.
“That visibility allows us to reach students who may not otherwise engage with health resources,” she said.
PHE also offers free sexual health resources to all students. These include condoms, lubricant, over-the-counter birth control, Plan B, and pregnancy tests.
More information about the program, including upcoming events and more tips, can be found on their Instagram, @svsuphe. Students can also visit their office, Doan 105, Mon. through Thurs. between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.
