Programs & Events | Student Health and Wellness

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:

Request a presentation, program, or interview

Please submit requests for presentations or programs at least two weeks in advance of your event.

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

Mental Health

Presented By: SHaW Health Promotion
Facilitators: Staff
Duration: 90-120 minutes
Intended audience: Staff, Faculty, Student Leaders
Best for groups of: 6 - 36
Description: Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a way of approaching conversations about change and growth that strengthens others' commitment and motivation while conveying a sense of genuine care and compassion. This highly interactive training is designed to equip participants with foundational self-awareness and MI skills for more effectively connecting with and guiding others who seek out our support. (Please note: this training can be tailored to program- or department-specific support systems in consultation with the facilitators and can be provided in-person or virtually, but not as a hybrid offering.)

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.

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)

Nutrition & Physical Activity

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.

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 Support Services

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.

Substance Use Prevention

Sexual & Reproductive Health, Sexuality, & Relationships

Presented By: SHaW Health Promotion
Facilitators: Sexpert Peer Health 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 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), consent, pleasure and more! Prizes will be awarded to the top three winners, and free safer-sex supplies including condoms, will be available for all!

Presented By: SHaW Health Promotion
Facilitators: Sexpert Peer Health Educators
Duration: 60 minutes
Intended audience: Students
Best for groups of: 10-30
Description: This interactive workshop, led by the Sexperts, will help you learn about sexual boundaries, while giving you the tools to make informed choices about your sexual experiences and relationships. You’ll learn about different types of boundaries, explore and get to understand your personal limits, and create a “Yes, No, Maybe” list to think intentionally about what current boundaries you have, and what you might be interested in exploring. Through guided activities and group discussions, the Sexperts will support you as you practice communicating your boundaries, learn how to respect other’s boundaries, and build confidence in making decisions that work for you! Free safer-sex supplies, including condoms, will be available for all.

Important: This workshop contains sensitive topics and works best with groups that have a level of trust and rapport with one another. If you’re unsure whether it’s a good fit for your group, please email cassy@uconn.edu for guidance.

Presented By: SHaW Health Promotion
Facilitators: Sexpert Peer Health Educators
Duration: 60 minutes, can accommodate time restrictions
Intended audience: Students
Best for groups of: 10-100
Description: Research shows that exploring pleasure can reduce stress, boost your mood, strengthen emotional connections, and increase body awareness! Join the Sexperts for a relaxed, drop-in workshop all about how sexual pleasure supports your overall well-being. You’ll get to see and handle demo versions of sex toys, from vibrators and sleeves to plugs and more while the Sexperts share sex toy history, safety tips and guidance on picking the products that feel right for you. The space is inclusive of all genders and experience/comfort levels, with no formal presentation, just hands-on learning, real conversations, and plenty of good vibes. Participate at whatever level feels most comfortable for you!

Important:
This workshop is for exploration only; we will not demonstrate actual use of the items. This is a safe and respectful space - anyone behaving inappropriately will be asked to leave. The workshop is a drop-in style program, has a maximum capacity of 30 participants at a time, and requires an open space suitable for multiple stations where participants can move around.