New for Spring 2007, a new Peer Health Educator group, SUPER, will be available to the Suffolk Community.

Suffolk
University
Peer-Health
Education
Resource  

Who are the SUPERs?

SUPER, the Suffolk University Peer-Health Education Resource, is a group of undergraduate students – sponsored by Health Services – who are trained to provide their classmates with information and resources about college health and wellness issues (including sexual health, alcohol and other drug use, eating disorders, body image, sexual violence, etc).  They do this in a positive, interactive, fun, and non-judgmental manner. The goal is to help students develop the tools needed for making informed choices that will support and encourage healthy living.

SUPERs are students who combine their specialized training in Health Education with a desire to make a difference around health behaviors and choices on campus.  SUPERs are responsible, enthusiastic, dedicated student leaders who provide workshops, facilitate discussions, and sponsor campus events.  SUPERs gain valuable experience by designing, coordinating and conducting a variety of health education programs for other students on campus.  Students from any department are welcome to participate in the program.

What Can SUPERs Provide?

• One on one conversations about student health-related questions
• Educational outreach activities, including active and passive programming (workshops and flyers, etc)
• Health resources, such as where to get free HIV testing, condoms, Tylenol, etc
• Co-sponsorship with other student organizations and departments around events relating to student health
• Awareness of  major health-related issues on campus, and national health-related events

Why Should I Be A SUPER?

• This is a great reume builder!
• Become a nationally Certified Peer Educator (CPE) through the BACCHUS network
• Opportunities to attend national and regional conferences 
• Gain extensive knowledge about contraception, sexually transmitted infections, body image, alcohol, tobacco, drugs, eating disorders, nutrition, health promotion, men’s and women’s health, stress management, sexual violence, depression, healthy relationships, etc.
• Access to free condoms and Tylenol!
• Develop teaching, facilitation, group presentation and communication skills
• Utilize your ideas and creativity to creat programs and materials
• Become a part of a team of students committed to providing the Suffolk community with accurate, non-judgmental health information.
• Have an opportunity to contribute significantly to the growth of the Health Education program

Is Being a SUPER For Me?

A strong applicant should possess these qualities:

• Must be a full-time undergraduate student
• Strong interest in promoting healthy behaviors among fellow students
• Open to cultures, practices, sexual orientations different from your own
• Sensitivity to controversial/personal topics that are sometimes embarrassing, and have a willingness to talk candidly about them
• Ability to articulate facts about health behaviors and to dispel myths and perceptions
• Demonstrate a sincere concern for others and their well-being.

How Do I Get Involved?

We are currently accepting committed volunteers for the SUPER program.  If you are interested, please make sure to sign up at one of our tables during activity periods, email Liz Drexler-Hines, Health Educator (edrexler@suffolk.edu) or call 617-557-1587 to obtain an application. You can also click here to get an application.