Health Educator, What?
“What do you do?”a friend asked me when he found out I was a health educator.
“I teach students how to teach their peers about drugs and reducing their risk of problems related to drug abuse.”
“At UCSB?” he said sarcastically, “That’s GOT to be FUN.”
People assume that UCSB students are a bunch of rich kids whose main goal is to get laid and do drugs as much as possible before they have to get a real job. It’s such a strong belief that Gauchos may feel abnormal if they don’t want to get wasted all the time.
“Is that all there is?” a freshman asked me. “I mean, I like getting laid and fucked up as much as next guy. But it seems like that’s the only thing everyone is into. No judgment, if that’s what they want, that’s cool. But, seriously, I want something more.”
The truth is that Gauchos are individuals. There are a few who live up to the “Old School” stereotype. You can read about them in the Daily Nexus’ Police Blotter. On the other side of the drug spectrum, approximately twenty percent of Gauchos have not consumed alcohol in the past thirty days. That’s over four thousand undergrads. If you haven’t had a beer in the past month, you are probably not drinking very much.
Most students fall in between those extremes. The majority of students drink, yet most will never get a MIP, minor in possession. Chances are your friends never attract the attention of the IVFP.
But regardless of whether you drink or not, alcohol abuse can cause problems for everyone. Have you ever had your studying or sleep interrupted by someone else’s party? Have you ever had to hold a friend’s hair back as s/he worshiped the porcelain god? Has someone unattractively drunk ever hit on you or just hit you?
STAR, Students Teaching Alcohol and other drug Responsibility, are peer health education interns whose goal is to help reduce alcohol / drug problems. They are NOT an abstinence group but they support those who choose not to use. STAR believes people can party without harming themselves and others. You can find out more about STAR at their website.
This week STAR is putting on National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week (NCAAW) which includes the following:
1) National Alcohol Screening Day:
Date: Wednesday, Oct. 29
Time: 11 a.m. –2 p.m.
Location: In front of SRB
What it is: STAR, Active Minds and counselors from the Alcohol Drug Program want you to take a 10-question survey. This survey assesses if your drinking style is fine or puts you at risk for problems. Instant results. While you are there, try on the beer goggles and show us your sober beer pong skills.
2) The Haunted House of HELLALTH:
Date: Thursday, Oct. 30
Time: 10 a.m. –2 p.m.
Location: Lawn across from Career Center
What it is: STAR, Active Minds, Wellness Interns, Students Stopping Rape, Men Against Rape, Healthy Eating And Living Interns and Sex & Relationship Interns invite you to trick-or-treat through the Haunted House of HELLalth, get free candy, glow sticks, condoms, lube and more, along with helpful safety tips for an I.V. Halloween.
STAR could not do this alone and is grateful for the support of Chancellor Yang, Associated Students, Spirit Halloween Superstore, Student Health, Health Education, Alcohol Drug Program and all the student groups listed above.
Old people often think young people are apathetic. Not in my experience. I work with students who care about the safety of their friends and community. That IS fun and meaningful.
Have a safe and fun Halloween!
Wellness Tip of the Week: Participate in one of the weekly fieldtrips brought to you by the wellness internship. Upcoming field trips include yoga, a hike to Inspiration Point, meditation and Argentinean tango lessons.
Michael Takahara is a health educator at Student Health and is going to be a Q-Tip for Halloween. Post comments, suggestions, questions or your wellness tips here or email Michael.takahara@sa.ucsb.edu.
6 Responses to “Health Educator, What?”
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butt bowel
very mature.
Hey Maka
I am one of the co-presidents at Project HOPE. This article rings so true and is yet another great way of getting the word out. I think the programs like STAR at UCSB are great and am so glad that programs like ours exsist. I hope to see you soon.
Hey Maka!
This is a great article. I feel lucky to be able to be a part of such programs like STAR and use my own experiences along with health education to relate to my peers. It’s awesome that your friend commented on your job in such a positive way. I think that you have an amazing job and it must be fun to work with us college students! =) Hopefully our Haunted House of Health will be a bit hit tomorrow and we can reach out to many students who might not be aware of some of the things they might encounter this weekend!
The HAUNTED HOUSE OF HELLATH!!! That is so Awesome!!! I am ALWAYS impressed with the new and exciting approaches created by the PHE coallitions to encourage healthier choices. This event will make the unique and wonderful experience of Halloween in Isla Vista even better!!
I will be thinking of you all this week/end…
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!
(:
Yay haunted house of hellath plug!!!!!! Health Educators rock!!!!!