Health Promotion
Learn About Health Topics & Actions
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What is Health Promotion?
Thrive Health Promotion is a department of the DU Health & Counseling Center (HCC) committed to supporting the campus community with education, engagement, and sociocultural change regarding health and well-being topics using upstream prevention and harm reductions strategies.
We recognize well-being is uniquely individual and impacted by identity, environment, experience, and various systems of oppression. We strive to address barriers, reduce stigma, and improve access to resources and support while contributing to a culture of care.
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What types of prevention education does Health Promotion provide?
Alcohol and Other Drugs Prevention and Education
Alcohol and other drug (AOD) use is a top health and safety concern on college campuses. The four focus areas for prevention and education are alcohol, cannabis, prescription drug misuse, and e-cigarettes.
Mental Health Promotion
Mental health is an umbrella term that encompasses our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. We focus on suicide prevention, stress management, and coping skills.
Sexual Health Promotion
Sexual health is a state of physical, mental, and social well-being in relation to sexuality. It requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination, and violence.
Interpersonal Violence Prevention and Education
Interpersonal Violence Prevention and Education provides the community with active bystander education, healthy relationship trainings, community awareness, and prevention outreach on topics including sexual assault, dating and relationship abuse, sexual harassment, and stalking.
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What else does Health Promotion offer?
Along with robust programing around topic areas, Health Promotion focuses on early intervention and prevention through various outreach requests, individual appointments, group collaborations, and a vibrant peer education program.
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Is the Health Promotion team a Confidential Resource?
No, the Health Promotion team and staff are not confidential employees. Those on the Health Promotion team (including those who work in Interpersonal Violence Prevention and Education) are classified as "responsible employees," which means they cannot serve as confidential supports.
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How do I request a Health Promotion workshop, outreach, or participation at my event?
Health Promotion offers a variety of workshops on mental health, suicide prevention, interpersonal violence prevention, healthy relationships, healthy masculinities, sexual health, and alcohol and other drugs. We are happy to come provide outreach for your event, club, class, or team meeting! Please fill out our outreach request form and a representative will get back to you to confirm availability. We ask for a minimum of two weeks’ notice for outreach requests.
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What can I do to prevent suicide on campus?
Health Promotion offers a variety of trainings and programs to help all community members learn how they can have a role in preventing suicide. You can learn how to talk about suicide and other mental health concerns, support a person in distress, to ask if they are thinking about suicide, and refer them to appropriate resources. Please fill out the outreach request form to request Suicide Prevention Training.
If you are interested in learning how to support someone through other mental health challenges or crises, consider becoming certified as a Mental Health First Aider. Health Promotion offers this internationally recognized training entirely free to cost to all DU students, staff, and faculty. To learn more, see our page on Mental Health First Aid.
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How is Interpersonal Violence Prevention & Education different from the Center for Advocacy, Prevention, and Empowerment (CAPE)?
Interpersonal Violence Prevention and Education is a focus area of Health Promotion that focuses on the prevention of interpersonal violence through educational programming such as:
- awareness campaigns,
- workshops and trainings,
- community events,
- resource tabling,
- social media outreach,
- etc.
CAPE is a center within the HCC that provides direct advocacy and support for survivors of interpersonal violence (i.e. sexual assault, relationship violence, stalking, and sexual harassment). CAPE is a confidential community resource whereas those on the Health Promotion team (including those who work in Interpersonal Violence Prevention) are classified as "responsible employees" and cannot serve as confidential supports.
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What kind of sexual health resources does Health Promotion provide?
Health Promotion provides:
- Safer sex supplies (external condoms, internal condoms, dental dams, lubricant, etc.)
- Free STI clinics (offered twice per quarter)
- Referrals to DU-based resources and community-based resources
- Sexual health education in the form of digital resources, customizable workshops, community events, resource tabling, etc.
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How can I access Health Promotion's free STI testing clinics?
Each quarter, Health Promotion partners with Vivent Health to host 2 free STI testing clinics on campus. Fall Quarter schedule (sign-ups will be available soon):
- Thursday, October 10th
- Thursday, November 14th
The best way to access an STI testing clinic is to:
- Follow Health Promotion on Instagram (@thriveatdu) to stay updated on events.
- Use the weblink or QR code found in our event posts to register on Crimson Connect.
Don't have social media? Stay tuned to Crimson Connect for event posts, or email Health Promotion (hcc.thrive@du.edu) to request clinic updates