Bringing well-being directly to your community
Health & Wellness provides education and skill building to help participants be well while working towards their personal and academic success.
We require at least 2-weeks’ notice for program requests.
Our programming:
- offers opportunities to increase knowledge, gain self-awareness, and learn new skills
- is based on current research in public health
- is available to anyone in the UNH community (requests from outside UNH will be considered on a case-by-case basis)
- is tailored for the needs of your community/participants
- is provided by Health & Wellness staff, peer educators, or student interns
- can be offered in-person or on Zoom
- is typically 50-60 minutes in length
- in some cases, can be modified into a lobby program/table
- includes information on resources available at UNH and in the local community
Residence Halls/Housing
- Tailored programs to meet your curriculum/learning outcomes
- Additional materials to develop bulletin boards and other passive materials
Faculty: Don't Cancel That Class!
Need coverage? If we’re available, we can accommodate last-minute requests to facilitate one our well-being programs so that you don’t need to cancel your class. Learn more
Jump to a programming topic area:
- Alcohol, Nicotine, and Other Drugs (ANOD)
- Communication
- Financial Wellness
- Nutrition
- Sexual Well-Being
- Sleep
- Stress & Emotional Wellness
- Well-Being & Wellness
- Design Your Own Program
Alcohol, Nicotine, and Other Drugs (ANOD)
Informed decision-making is critical when it comes to your choices regarding alcohol, nicotine, cannabis, or other drug use during college. Health & Wellness is committed to providing students, and our Wildcat community, with the most up to date, evidence-based research, skills, and resources to support your well-being in this area. Alcohol, Nicotine, and Other Drug (ANOD) programs are student-centered and designed to present information that is relevant to college life at UNH. Content can be tailored to your academic class, student organization / club, residence hall community, or other student group / department.
Programs
Approximate run times 45 to 60 minutes
Programs you may request for your residence hall, organization, club, team or student group include:
Alcohol 101
This is a great program if you want to teach your community the basics about alcohol, its impacts on the body and developing brain, how to make informed choices and strategies to reduce harms. We will come prepared with an interactive activity that will educate participants about the concept of standard drink sizes, the reasons why more isn’t always better when it comes to drinking, and making choices that reflect one’s values.
At the conclusion of this program participants will be able to…
- Identify the physical impacts of alcohol on the body and developing brain.
- Summarize the relationship between standard drink sizes and blood alcohol concentration.
- Evaluate beliefs and perceptions which influence alcohol use choices.
- Distinguish between high risk and low risk drinking behaviors.
- Discuss strategies to reduce harms associated with alcohol use.
Cannabis 101
This is a great program if you want to teach your community the basics about cannabis, its physical impacts on the body and brain, how to make informed choices, and strategies to reduce harms associated with use.
At the conclusion of this program participants will be able to…
- Identify the physical impacts of cannabis on the body and developing brain.
- Summarize the relationships between cannabis use and sleep, appetite, mood, learning and driving.
- Evaluate beliefs and perceptions which influence cannabis use choices.
- Discuss strategies to reduce harms associated with cannabis use.
Hazing
According to the National Study of Student Hazing (Allen/Madden 2008), more than half (55%) of college students involved in clubs, teams, and organizations experience hazing. Yet the majority of college students do not recognize hazing behaviors when they occur. This program discusses the criteria for hazing, the factors that perpetuate hazing, the role of alcohol in hazing, and what you can do about it. This program can be tailored to your participants’ interest or needs.
At the conclusion of this program participants will be able to…
- Define the criteria for hazing.
- Summarize the three types of hazing behaviors.
- Evaluate situations to determine whether they meet the criteria for hazing.
- Summarize the relationship between hazing and alcohol use.
- Discuss individual and community level interventions to address hazing.
- List resources for support and reporting.
ANOD Jeopardy Game
Test your knowledge about alcohol, nicotine, and other drugs. See if your beliefs and perceptions match the latest research. This interactive activity encourages fun, teamwork, and a bit of competition.
At the conclusion of this activity participants will be able to…
- List facts about alcohol, nicotine and other drugs that impact well-being.
- Define harm reduction.
Alcohol Jeopardy Game
Test your knowledge about alcohol. See if your beliefs and perceptions match the latest research. This interactive activity encourages fun, teamwork, and a bit of competition.
At the conclusion of this activity participants will be able to…
- List facts about alcohol that impact well-being.
- Select low risk behaviors.
- Define harm reduction.
Cannabis Jeopardy Game
Test your knowledge about cannabis. See if your beliefs and perceptions match the latest research. This interactive activity encourages fun, teamwork, and a bit of competition.
At the conclusion of this activity participants will be able to…
- List facts about cannabis that impact well-being.
- Define harm reduction.
Tabling Activities
Approximate run times 30 to 60 minutes
What’s In Your Cup?
This interactive tabling event is focused on understanding how alcohol is metabolized in the body, the concept of standard drink sizes, the reasons why more isn’t always better when it comes to drinking, and strategies to reduce harms if you choose to drink. ANOD Peer Educators can facilitate this program at your residence hall, organization, team, or club event.
At the conclusion of this activity participants will be able to…
- Define standard drink sizes.
- Summarize the relationship between standard drink sizes, blood alcohol concentration, and risks for harm.
- Discuss strategies to reduce harms associated with alcohol use.
Myth or Fact?
Knowledge can help empower your choices. This interactive program is about checking your beliefs, knowledge, and perceptions against the facts regarding alcohol, nicotine, cannabis, and non-medical use of prescription stimulants. Discussion is focused on how perceptions and expectations influence one’s choices. This activity is based on research, best practice, and social norming data and can be tailored to your audience.
At the conclusion of this activity participants will be able to…
- Summarize ANOD facts.
- Examine individual perceptions about ANOD.
- Utilize information to make informed choices re: ANOD use.
High Risk/Low Risk
What makes a behavior high risk or low risk? It may not be as obvious as you think! This interactive program challenges the participants to evaluate real life scenarios and determine if it is high risk or low risk.
At the conclusion of this activity participants will be able to…
- Distinguish between high-risk and low-risk situations and behaviors re: ANOD use.
- List the elements that make a behavior or situation high or low risk.
- Propose alternatives to high-risk situations or behaviors.
- Modify a high-risk behavior into a low-risk behavior.
Design Your Own Program
If you are looking for a program with a focus that is not listed above, please let us know. Our ANOD Educator/Counselors and Peer Educators can collaborate with you to design a program tailored to your needs.
Communication
Assertiveness: Practical Techniques for Personal Success
Everyone has the potential to be a strong and confident communicator. Being assertive can be challenging but when done well can lead to more effective communication and improved relationships. Participants will have a chance to explore different communication styles, reflect on their own style of communication, and learn strategies they can use to become more assertive.
Conflict Confidence
Conflict is a common, inevitable part of life. Having the ability to resolve conflict effectively can prevent unnecessary stress, worry, avoidance, or damaged relationships and improve well-being. Participants will engage in a discussion about their current approach to managing conflict, explore the benefit of resolving conflicts, and build the skills they can use to turn conflicts into opportunities.
Financial Wellness
Are you on the Right Cash Course?
Many college students have minimal skills in managing their money and debt. The CASH (Create a Savings Habit) program gives an excellent overview of budgeting, saving, debt, and money management.
Nutrition
Let’s Talk Diets
Diet culture is extremely prevalent in our society with most adults having tried to diet at least once in their lifetime. With the number of fad diets out there, and misinformation about nutrition, this workshop will explain some of the more popular diet trends and the risks of fad diets. Participants will learn why dieting can be problematic not only to one’s physical health but mental health as well, and ways to work on having a healthier relationship with food, body and mind.
What’s Cooking?
Interested in learning how to make easy, balanced, budget-friendly meals? The demo cooking classes led by Nourish nutrition peer educators take place in the demonstration kitchen at the Hamel Recreation Center. Nourish peer educators will offer nutrition education based on the recipe being prepared*. Offered on Wednesday or Thursday evenings – date and time will depend on kitchen and peer educator availability. Cooking classes typically last 1.5 hours. *List of participants with any allergies or dietary restrictions will need to be provided in advance to be able to adapt recipes accordingly.
Social Media and Body Image
With the increased use of social media, particularly in the college population, picture perfect images, photoshopping apps, and filters are being viewed daily by these young adults. This 1-hour workshop will cover body image and factors that can influence our body image, and how social media and the increased use of social media may be negatively impacting our body image and self-esteem.
How to Help a Friend
Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses that can impact both physical and mental health. Talking to someone you may be concerned about is not always easy, but it can be extremely helpful. During this workshop participants will learn about the most common eating disorders, know what signs and symptoms to look for, and how to approach a loved one that they are concerned about.
Self-Esteem and Body Image
Negative body image is best-known contributor to the development of an eating disorder. In this workshop we will take a look at body image and self-esteem and recognize both the physical and external traits that make us beautiful. We will highlight the things we like about ourselves, as well as recognizing our insecurities.
Sexual Well-Being
We educate UNH students about sexual health and well-being by providing accurate information so they can use their sexual agency to make informed decisions. Our sexual well-being programming is applicable to students who are sexually active, thinking about being sexual active, or abstinent. We approach our programming with sex positivity and don’t consider any question or topic taboo. Free safer sex supplies and lubrication will be provided at all sexual well-being programs. Most programs are led by our trained sexual well-being interns and will be available starting in October (to allow time to train interns). If you have questions about sex education at UNH, please contact dawn.zitney@unh.edu.
Sexual Pleasure: Safer Sex is Pleasurable Sex
This is our core safer sex program that teaches students about why and how to use barrier methods and lubrication during their sexual experiences to reduce risk of STIs/HIV and unintended pregnancy so that they can focus on having pleasurable sexual experiences. Using anatomical models, students can practice or be shown how to use condoms, dental dams, and latex gloves. Information on the variety of safer sex products available to enhance pleasure, prevalence of STIs/HIV among college students, and the sexual health services available at Health & Wellness will be provided.
Sexual Pleasure: Sex Toys
Our sex toy demonstrations are a fun and engaging way to have ask questions and have conversations about sexual pleasure, communication, anatomy, and sexual identity. Sex toys for all identities will be available to turn on, touch, feel and understand how each one can be used to enhance sexual pleasure. There will be lots of buzz about this program because it is highly interactive.
Sexual Pleasure: Pleasure for Emotional and Sexual Well-Being
Sex is meant to be pleasurable, whether alone or with others. Participants will be introduced to the emotional and physical health benefits of sexual pleasure and through an interactive activity will be able to explore ways they can find their own pleasurable experiences.
Sexual Agency & Decision Making
As casual as sex sometimes seems, it’s not really all that casual. Sex doesn’t just happen. This will be an interactive program and conversation most students haven’t had – how peers and community coupled with individual thoughts, feelings, and values intersect in sexual decision making. Participants will learn how to make sexual decisions that are grounded in their own sexual empowerment and agency.
Sex Education in the Media
Designed by a sexual well-being intern to help their peers think critically about how sex education is depicted in the media. This is a very fun program that uses media clips from pop-culture that will have you giggling, cheering, and at times slightly horrified. Education on the history of sex education and movement towards comprehensive sex education will also be provided.
Vulva Appreciation: DIY Vulva Art
Designed by a sexual well-being intern to help participants learn about the anatomy of the vulva, reduce shame, and gain appreciation. Participants will design their own vulva using felt, glitter, rhinestones, and all kinds of sexy and creative supplies. It is through creation of art where honest conversations and questions organically emerge about the vulva and sexual well-being. Anyone with a body can participate in this program.
Design Your Own Sex-Positive Program
Our well-being educator/counselor and sexual well-being interns can collaborate with you to design a sex education program (or materials) that is medically accurate, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate.
Bulk Safer Sex Supply Request
If you are looking to obtain a larger supply of condoms, dental dams, and lubrication for a sex education program that you are designing, please submit a request using this form:
Request Bulk Safer Sex Supplies
Sleep
Be Well, Sleep Well: Sleep Workshop
Sleep is one of the most effective ways to feel enhance health and well-being and achieve academic success. Participants will learn about the importance of quality sleep for academic success and overall well-being. Opportunities to assess their current sleep habits and create a personalized sleep plan of action to employ sleep strategies will also be provided.
Napercise: Power Napping
Taking a nap has proven to be more effective at renewing energy than reaching for another cup or coffee or energy drink. Participants will learn why sleep is important, general sleep guidelines, and how taking a power nap in the day can help with relaxation and cognitive clarity. The program will include education, experiential guided relaxation, a 20-minute power nap, and light stretching. Aromatherapy will be used to help facilitate sleep and rejuvenation. Each participant will leave with a free sleep kit. *This is a 60-minute program that is only offered before 3pm, Monday – Friday, as to not disrupt nighttime sleep.
Stress & Emotional Wellness
2-Minute Stress Relievers:
Tap Out of the Stress Response and Into Relaxation
This is our core stress program. Stress is a full body response to the challenges of life, that everyone experiences. Being able to skillfully turn towards stress and cope can enhance health, well-being and motivation. Participants will learn how to grow their stress mindset by understanding what stress is and how it impacts the whole body. Opportunities to learn about and practice quick but proven body-based relaxation techniques be provided.
Beating Burnout
This session provides an opportunity to discuss the complex nature of burnout, dismantling the (at times) oversimplified mainstream media definition of “being overworked.” Participants will be introduced to Dr. Jacinta Jimenez’s 3-step process for beating burnout: Recognize, Respond, Replenish, while assessing their own burnout profile and engaging in meaningful conversation about how to actively replenish their resource and energy.
Self-Compassion:
Treat Yourself Like you Would a Good Friend
Participants will be guided through Buddhist psychology and current research in the science of self-compassion to cope with stress, fight perfectionism, and enhance emotional wellness.
Additional Programs Related to Wellness and Stress
Contact us for additional information.
- Wellness Coaching Group (6 weeks)
- Self-Compassion Class (4 weeks)
- Mindfulness and Meditation
- Stress Relief for the Holiday Season
- Running on E: Manage your Energy
- Manage Time & Stress During Your Job/Internship Search
- Step Into Your Power: Dismantling Imposter Syndrome
- Yoga classes for all levels with themes on mindfulness, emotional well-being, body positivity, sexual well-being, wellness
Well-Being & Wellness
You Can’t Pour from an Empty Cup:
Wellness and Stress
This is our core wellness program. Utilizing UNH’s well-being wheel, participants will be guided through an engaging activity that helps them understand their current wellness – where they are thriving, where they are struggling, what is giving them energy, what is taking away energy. Discussion on how communities and identity impact wellness will also be included. Participants will leave with a clearer vision of their own wellness and pathways to keep moving forward.
How You Doing?
Lobby Program
Note: This is a condensed version of our core wellness program. After spinning the well-being wheel, participants will be prompted to reflect on what they know about that area of wellness and how they’re doing in that area of their life.
Creating Meaningful Goals (Part I):
Connecting Your Values to Your Goals
This isn’t another SMART goal workshop…too often we jump quickly to creating goals. In this program, we take time to pause and reflect on what we are really seeking. Participants will learn how values guide choices and have an opportunity to explore what matters most to them and how they want to use this information to guide their goals.
Creating Meaningful Goals (Part II):
Goal-Setting Process
Building on the foundation set in part I, participants will be guided through a process of clarifying goals that are appropriate for where they are right here, right now.
Power Up!
Please note: This program will be unavailable March 2023 until August 2023.
Meet with staff from the Hamel Recreation Center and Health & Wellness for an informative (and fun!) panel discussion with plenty of opportunity for questions and answers. Participants will gain an understanding of how physical activity, nutrition, sleep and coping with stress all work in tandem to feel good and meet their goals.
Design Your Own Program
Our staff is always looking to run new programs! If you have a program/topical idea in mind we can sit down with you to discuss your ideas and design a program that is tailored to your specific audience and goals. We request that you give us at least 2-3 weeks to make this happen. This time frame includes time to meet with you individually.
