Student Health and Wellness advocates for the balanced and integrated emotional, social, and academic functioning of our diverse community. Guided by our commitment to diversity and social justice, SHaW strives to create a safe and inclusive environment to enhance the quality of life on our campus. We aim to reach every member of our community through specialized training which raises awareness, reduces stigma, addresses barriers, and promotes holistic wellness. Trainings are offered to UConn faculty, staff, and students on an array of topics.
SHaW's Educational Program Offerings:
Click the button above to request a program, request SHaW participation on a panel or at an event, or to request an interview with a SHaW staff member on the Storrs Campus.
Programming options may vary depending on campus. For more information about programming for Regional Campuses, please email our Director of Regional Campus Operations, Nicole McKelvey-Wash at nim06007@uconn.edu
Promoting Mental Health
Presented By: SHaW Mental Health
Facilitators: Staff
Duration: 60-90 minutes, can accommodate time restrictions
Intended audience: Students
Best for groups of: 15-100
Description: This informative and interactive workshop increases participants' knowledge of the range of mental health resources on campus and helpful self-care and stress management strategies.
Color Your Calm
Presented By: SHaW Health Promotion
Facilitators: UConn Peer Educators, Staff
Duration: 45-60 minutes
Intended audience: Students
Best for groups of: 10-40
Description: Join us for an evening of creativity, good company, and stress relief. Sip on some hot chocolate or tea as you explore your inner artist. It's the perfect way to de-stress, make new friends, and discover a hidden talent.
Helping Students in Distress
Presented By: SHaW Mental Health
Facilitators: Staff
Duration: 60-90 minutes, can accommodate time restrictions
Intended audience: Staff or faculty
Best for groups of: 15-100
Description: This informative and interactive workshop helps participants learn the warning signs that someone is in distress, basic helping skills, and provides an overview of campus and national resources for those in crisis.
Making Time for Mindfulness
Presented By: SHaW Mental Health
Facilitators: Staff
Duration: 50 minutes [Offer between 9am and 3pm]
Where: In Arjona or at another campus location
Intended audience: Faculty and Students
Best for groups of: 5-15
Description: Practicing mindfulness has been proven to help individuals manage stress and support a balanced lifestyle. This is a skilled based experiential mindfulness workshop offered to UConn students, faculty, and staff. It includes an introduction of concepts and skills of mindfulness and provides time to put those skills into practice.
Coping with Stress: Mindfulness & Breathing
Presented By: SHaW Health Promotion
Facilitators: UConn Peer Educators, Staff
Duration: 45-60 minutes
Intended audience: Students
Best for groups of: 10-40
Description: College is hard! Stress is normal and to be expected. This interactive program helps students learn some coping skills by learning about and practicing mindfulness and breathing techniques.
UConn Helps
Presented By: SHaW Mental Health
Facilitators: Staff
Duration: 90 minutes
Intended audience: Staff, faculty, students
Best for groups of: 10-40
Description: HELPS enhances awareness and skills related to college student suicide through experiential learning and a guided group role play on developing empathic listening skills, communication skills, and the ability to compassionately and directly ask students about their suicidal thoughts. These skills enable participants to respond effectively to students experiencing a wide range of emotional crises and increase their ability to make meaningful referrals to appropriate professional resources.
*HELPS is based on Campus Connect from Syracuse University and is on the best practices registry for suicide prevention (Suicide Prevention Resource Center/American Foundation for Suicide Prevention)
Physical Activity for the College Student
Presented By: SHaW Medical
Facilitators: Staff
Duration: 60 minutes
Intended audience: Students
Best for groups of: 15-30
Description: This practical and informative workshop helps participants understand the science behind their favorite gym routine or exercise class and provides information about the health benefits of a physically active lifestyle, how to start a new exercise routine, and troubleshooting common barriers and challenges to exercise in the college environment.
Nutrition for the College Student
Presented By: SHaW Medical
Facilitators: Staff
Duration: 60 minutes
Intended audience: Students, staff, or faculty
Best for groups of: 10-40
Description: Navigating eating well for energy, academic success, and overall health can sometimes be challenging for a busy college student. Participants will learn the building blocks of nutrition and strategies for eating nutritionally sound food on a college campus. Participants will also hear the facts about commonly heard nutrition myths and diets and ask questions to SHaW’s registered dietitians.
Recovery Ally Training
Presented By: SHaW Health Promotion
Facilitators: UConn Recovery Community Staff and student member
Duration: 120 minutes, can accommodate time restrictions
Intended audience: Faculty, staff & students
Best for groups of: 10-100
Description: Recovery Ally Training program exists to expand awareness and sensitivity, as well as to support any individual who is in, or seeking, recovery from substance use disorders, and other mental and behavioral health disorders. This training is an interactive, two-hour session ideally delivered in-person. UConn's School of Social Work offers 2 hours of continuing education credits to participants who complete the training.
Facts on Tap
Presented By: SHaW Health Promotion
Facilitators: Staff, graduate assistants
Duration: 45-60 minutes
Intended audience: Students (not available for Greek organizations)
Best for groups of: 10-100
Description: Compete in a team-based trivia game that tests your knowledge about alcohol! Trivia topics include BAC, tolerance, how the body metabolizes alcohol, and how to help your friends stay safe!
High IQ: Navigating Cannabis
Presented By: SHaW Health Promotion
Facilitators: Staff, peer educators
Duration: 60 minutes
Intended audience: Students
Best for groups of: 10-100
Description: Compete in a team-based trivia game that tests your knowledge about cannabis! Trivia topics include THC potency, tolerance, risk reduction strategies, how to help your friends stay safe, and resources on campus!
Know Your Pour
Presented By: SHaW Health Promotion
Facilitators: Staff, peer educators
Duration: 60 minutes
Intended audience: Students
Best for groups of: 10-30 (can adjust if needed)
Description: Participate in this hands-on learning activity to build your understanding of the standard drink size for alcohol beverages while learning some risk reduction strategies.
Sexual Health Showdown
Presented By: SHaW Health Promotion
Facilitators: The UConn Sexpert Peer Educators
Duration: 60 minutes, can accommodate time restrictions
Intended audience: Students
Best for groups of: 10-100
Description: Test your sexual health knowledge by joining the UConn Sexperts for Sexual Health Showdown! Compete against your friends via Kahoot while learning all about a variety of topics, including safer-sex, contraception, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and more!
Let’s Talk About Sex: Setting Sexual Boundaries
Presented By: SHaW Health Promotion
Facilitators: Staff, peer educators
Duration: 60 minutes
Intended audience: Students
Best for groups of: 10-50
Description: This workshop provides an overview of what sexual boundaries are, sexual decision-making, & navigating & communicating boundaries.
Converse with a Nurse
Presented By: SHaW Medical Care
Facilitators: Staff
Duration: 45-60 minutes
Intended audience: Students, Staff
Best for groups of: 50
Description: What does “balance mean to me? How do I maintain a healthy lifestyle? How do I get there? Nurses at SHaW can help. In this program, a dedicated nurse partners with each student to support their journey toward balance and well-being, helping them thrive holistically during their time in college.
Programs during the 2025 Summer:
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Aug24
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Sep10
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Sep26
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Oct2
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Nov6
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Dec4
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Aug24Let’s Talk at Week of Welcome (WOW)Student Union12:00 PM
Let’s Talk at WOW!
When: Sunday August 24
Time: 12 - 3pm
Where: Student Union, room 318 -
Sep10
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Sep26Pet Therapy at the Benton MuseumThe Benton Museum of Art12:00 PM
Visit the Benton Museum exhibitions and engage with cute Pet Therapy dogs Wrigley and Lucie
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Oct2First Thursday Open HouseThe Benton Museum of Art4:30 PM
Open House at The Benton Museum with music, crafts, cute dogs, and art scavenger hunts.
Free and Fun for Everyone!
Open house in partnership SHaW, WHUS & The Library, and The Beanery Cafe
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Nov6First Thursday Open HouseThe Benton Museum of Art4:30 PM
Open House at The Benton Museum with music, crafts, cute dogs, and art scavenger hunts.
Free and Fun for Everyone!
*Feel free to come dressed as your favorite pop star for your portrait!
Open house in partnership SHaW, WHUS, SUBOG & UConn Library, and The Beanery Cafe
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Dec4First Thursday Open HouseThe Benton Museum of Art4:30 PM
Open House at The Benton Museum with music, crafts, cute dogs, and art scavenger hunts.
Free and Fun for Everyone!
Open house in partnership SHaW, WHUS, UConn Libraries, and The Beanery Cafe
Sexual Health & Wellness Fair
Join Student Health and Wellness, the UConn Sexperts, and various UConn and community partners for an afternoon of sexual health education & advocacy!
Free STI Testing, HIV Testing, Condoms & Other Safer-Sex Supplies · Sexual Pleasure Items · Educational Resources · Drawings · Games · Prizes · Food · Music · Fun!
Location: Student Union Ballroom
Monday, April 15
Time: 1 - 5pm
Out of the Darkness Walk
The Out of the Darkness Campus Walks are the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's (AFSP) signature student fundraising series, designed to engage you in the fight to prevent suicide, a leading cause of death.
Walk Route: 2 mile route! Registration will be outside of the Student Union on Fairfield Way. Participants must bring an ID.
Location: Fairfield Way
Sunday, April 7
Registration Time: 11 am
Walk Time: 11:30am
Fresh Check Day
Fresh Check Day is an uplifting mental health promotion and suicide prevention event that aims to create an approachable and hopeful atmosphere where students are encouraged to engage in dialogue about mental health and helps to build a bridge between students and mental health resources. Join for fun, food, games, baby cows and more!
Location: Student Union Mall
Saturday, April 20
Time: 1 - 4 pm
Free Flu Shots
Free Flu shots by appointment. Please bring your UConn student I.D.
Location: SHaW's Hilda May building
Expecting & Parenting Students
A peer support group for expecting and parenting students. The group meetings will be held both in-person and virtually. This is open to all undergrad and graduate students on any campus.
To receive the virtual link, please email tina.mccarthy@uconn.edu
Location: SHaW's Hilda May William's Building
Every other Friday: 11 am - 12 noon
April 5 & 19
May 3
S.H.A.P.E. Peer Education Group
S.H.A.P.E. (Students Helping Achieve Positive Esteem) is a student group that fosters awareness around eating disorders and body image. New members are always welcome!
Open to all UConn students who strive to promote accepting attitudes towards all body shapes and sizes while helping to encourage self-esteem and positive body image.
Location: Women’s Center (Student Union, 4th floor)
Thursdays: 5:00 - 6:00 pm
Let’s Talk: Mental Health Office Hours
Group Therapy
For many concerns that undergraduate and graduate students face – group therapy is the best option for support and healing.
Location: Arjona 4th floor
Mondays - Fridays
Pet Therapy
DROP-IN (no appointment required)
NEW Location: Cordial Storrs House
Tuesdays: 5 - 7 pm
or First Thursday of each month located at The Benton Museum!
The Benton from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Meditation Mondays
DROP-IN (no appointment required)
Location: Arjona 4th Floor, Room 403
Mondays 4 pm - 5 pm
Yoga
Therapeutic Yoga skillfully blends movement and breathwork, with a meditative focus for a full body practice that calms, nurtures, strengthens and opens one into flexibility of body and mind.
Open to all UConn students, faculty and staff from any campus. No experience required.
Intro to Mindfulness
DROP-IN (no appointment required)
Location: Arjona 4th Floor, Room 403
Mondays - Thursdays 1 pm - 2pm
All Recovery Meetings
Open to all UConn students from any campus who are living with addiction to substances and/or other mental health and behavioral disorders. Meetings are "non-denominational" and supports all pathways to recovery. Meetings will be held both in-person and virtually.
Location: Cordial Storrs House
Fridays: 5:00 - 6:00 pm
12 Step Recovery Meetings
Open to all UConn students from any campus who are living with addiction to substances and/or other mental health and behavioral disorders. Meetings are for those seeking to explore the 12 Step model of recovery. Meetings will be held both in-person and virtually.
Location: Cordial Storrs House
Wednesdays: 5:30 - 6:30 pm
Community Yoga
These sessions are for UConn students who are in recovery from substance misuse and/or mental and behavioral disorders, are affected by others who are, or are allies to those in recovery. Sessions combine vinyasa yoga and pranayama breathing followed by time for open sharing.
Meetings are in person at The Wellness Community
Location: Troy-Shakespeare Hall
Mondays: 6:30 - 8 pm
gloveBOX
gloveBOX is a free safer-sex supply delivery service. Students can order safer-sex supplies, including condoms, lubrication, and dental dams, to have delivered directly to their mailroom.
Students can choose from 6 different boxes, up to 3 times a semester.
UConn Sexperts Drop-in Hours
Peer Support Drop-In Hours are a great option for students who have questions about sex and sexual health, are looking for a non-judgmental, laid-back environment to discuss a sex related concern or issue, or are interested in improving their sexual health and personal well-being. Our UConn Sexperts are trained to provide education, support, and connection to resources on and off-campus on a wide variety of topics pertaining to sex, sexual health, and relationships.
Location: SHaW's Wilson Hall Building, room 124
Monday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tuesday: 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Wednesday: 9:00 am - 6:30 pm
Thursday: 9:00 am - 11:30 am
Friday: 9:00 am - 11:30 am
LGTT 15 Minutes to Calm
Join us for Let’s Get Together Thursdays for 15 Minutes of Calm. Practice breathing & stretches for stress relief.
Open to all UConn students from any campus. No experience required. Sessions will be held virtually.
Thursdays: 5:30 - 6:30 pm
Lavender Resilience Collective
The Lavender Resilience Collective is an opportunity that offers educational support for LGBTQIA+ UConn students to interrupt internalized bias based on our unique and intersecting identities. Together, students will learn new tools to help build resilience and feel empowered to be their authentic selves.
Open to both undergraduate and grad students across all of UConn's campuses.
Location: Virtual
Tuesdays: 3:30 - 5 pm
Interested students must register by Sept 15th
Recovery Coaching
Recovery coaches are available for one-one-one support for UConn individuals who have loved ones with active addictions or who are in recovery from substance misuse and/or other mental and behavioral health disorders.
Innovate Wellness Workshop
Earn your Innovate Wellness Design Thinking Workshop Certificate and Badge this semester with SHaW's Innovate Wellness team!
Work with professionals and experts through tangible and hands-on learning. This is an opportunity to gain new skills and bolster your resume while gaining the foundational tools and experience in design thinking fundamentals. Only 20 spots available!
Location: OPIM Lab: BUSN 391
Thursdays: 5 - 7 pm
Plate Smash!
Students will be able to write all of their negative perceptions of themselves down on a plate and then smash the plate to let those perceptions go!
Location: Fairfield Way
November 2
11 - 2 pm
Appy Hour
The OPIM Lab and Innovate Wellness know the importance of relaxation and taking time to destress. So the Lab BUSN 391 will be open for students as a relaxation space with wellness related activities. Pizza, apps, sweet treats, and mock tails will be provided!
Location: the OPIM Lab BUSN 391
Monday, April 24
Time: 3 - 6pm
Innovate Wellness Photovoice Project
Participate in the Innovate Wellness Photovoice Project! Your photos can help promote change on campus!
All you have to do is submit photos relating to to your wellbeing, things that find you joy, or brings balance to your life.
Photo submissions are now open!
International Student Support Group
We collaborated with Center for International Students & Scholars (CISS) to help international students connect with each other, discuss topics related to success at UConn, and learn about resources at UConn
Location: Center for International Students and Scholars (CISS), room 202
First Thursdays: 4:15 - 5:15 pm
Student Health & Wellness Fair
Join us for a fun day of free giveaways, food, health information, and much more!
Location: Fairfield Way
September 14th
9:30 am - 2 pm
Suicide Prevention Week
We hope our UConn community comes together at our series of events being hosted to connect with each other and care for our community.
September 10th - 15th
Get Yourself Tested
Get Yourself Tested for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
Location: SHaW's Hilda May William's Building
November: 8th from 4:30 - 6pm
Join the App Beta Bash
Students will be able to test and interact with various health and wellbeing apps! This specific event will introduce students to our Innovate Wellness program while also asking for their feedback and insight on a variety of health-based apps. Join us for free food and goodies! The Beta Bash is part of October's Month of Discovery!
Location: Wilson Hall, Room 126
Thursday, October 6th
5 - 7 pm
COVID-19 Booster Clinics
SHaW's COVID-19 Booster Clinics
Appointments are available
View available dates and times by scheduling an appointment:
Stomp Out the Stigma Walk!
As part of Suicide Prevention Week, you are invited to walk two miles in order to STOMP out the Stigma that can be associated with mental illness and suicide.
Location: Meet outside the UConn Rec Center!
Tuesday, September 20th
6:30 pm
Bereavement Support Group
This group is about students coming together to support and empower each other during times of grief.
*Please call ahead for information about group screening*
Thursdays: 12:30 - 2 pm
Recovery Ally Training
The Recovery Ally training program is an online, two-hour, highly interactive program, facilitated by people in recovery. Registration is required.
Various Dates and Times
Fresh Check Day!
Sexual Health Fair
Join us for an afternoon of sexual health education & advocacy!
Student Union Ballroom, 330
Monday, April 25
1 - 5 pm