My Next Blogging Project
This term, I am a Peer Health Educator at the University of Oregon Health Center. The Peer Health Education program is a two-term program (two classes of four credits each) within the Family and Human Services department. The first term focuses on health in general, and the second term focuses more on public health issues. This program is a great way to gain leadership experience on campus and become familiar with health issues facing college students. Peers are involved with many campus events, such as The Great American Smokeout and World AIDS Day.
For next term, I’m thinking about starting a blog for the program. A blog would be a great addition to the Web site and could help spark more interest and involvement with UO students. The PHE program serves as a resource for students with questions or concerns about the Health Center and their health.
Some of the services we provide include:
- Free condoms, lube and dental dams
- Smoking cessation kits, flue and allergy kits and safe sex kits
- Health Center information, references and directions
- SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) light
- Additional health resources
Student interaction is crucial for the success of not only the PHE program but also the Health Center. I’ve noticed that the program could use more ways to reach out to students. Outreach is currently done through:
- PHE office located in the Health Center
- Free “goodie bags” of resources handed out around campus
- Wellness Wednesday articles in the Daily Emerald
- Presentations to resident halls and UO Greek Life
- Tables at campus events and the Rec Center
- Advertisements and the Web site
I feel a blog would be a great way to reach our audience even more. Here are some of the things I would include in the blog:
- Two to three weekly posts about current health concerns around campus (e.g. flu, alcohol safety)
- Posts about campus and community health-related events
- Health resource links
- List of PHE and Health Center services
- Health Promotion department contacts
One of the biggest challenges I will face if I create this blog is gaining a readership. I plan to “advertise” the blog through current PHE advertisements and Facebook. The blog’s link can also be placed at the end of each Wellness Wednesday article.
The second challenge will be gaining student interaction. I would ideally like to see students commenting on the blogs. I want the blog to be a great resource and a place for discussion.
I still need to give this more thought and run it through my instructor. I really hope I get this opportunity to mix both health and social media together.
Hi Courtney,
We came across your great blog the other day, and like your ideas about the health center! We’re one of the only national non profits focusing on the health and wellness of college students. Check us out at http://www.cshal.org
We’re starting a student advisory committee, and we’d like to invite you to participate. We don’t have anyone from Oregon involved yet, although we do have a few from California. There is a small stipend involved. Can you drop me a line at jon@cshal.org to let me know if you are interested and so that I can send you a one-pager describing the student advisory council?
Thanks!
Thank you so much for the comment, and inviting me to join the committee! This sounds like a great opportunity.
Courtney
Courtney,
You seem like you’ve given this a lot of thought, and your blog plan seems thorough. I like that you give background information on what PHE is doing already and how your blog ties into the program.
Thank you Elana.
However, I recently discovered that due to a scheduling conflict, I may not be able to continue the PHE program next term. But I hope it works out. It would be a great project to add to my portfolio!
Hi Courney,
Here at the Center for Student Health and Life (www.cshal.org) our mission is to improve the health and wellness of college students. We’ve been concerned about the impact of state budget cuts on universities and colleges, particularly how it affects health and wellness on campus. We also don’t think that students and families should have to shoulder the cost shortfalls, with their 529 and 401(k) plans taking a real hit. In short, more creative solutions need to be found. Here’s an op-ed explaining our views and ideas at Inside Higher Ed, “The Economy and College Health:”
http://www.insidehighered.com/views/2008/11/14/englund