UNA Health Services and the Mitchell-West Center for Social Inclusion teamed up to bring awareness to opportunities and educate students on safe sex practices for World Sexual Health Day.
“Swipe Right on Sexual Health” was an educational table held in the GUC Atrium from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sep. 4. The table featured information on safe sex practices, contraceptives and some services Health Services provides.
Alyson Bergner, the associate director of the Mitchell-West Center for Social Inclusion and the Center for Women’s Studies, said this event features things they always have on hand.
“The Mitchell-West Center for Social Inclusion is located over Rice Hall on the first floor,” said Bergner. “We’re co-located with the Center for Women’s Studies, and we always have supplies for students, should they need self-care items.”
The center has feminine hygiene products, condoms and other self-care items. Bergner said they try to keep it stocked for students’ needs. She believes it is important for places on campus to be able to support students. Places like the UNA pantry and Health Services are also there to offer support to those in need.
“We’re all collectively coming together to support and spread awareness for consent, well-being, respect and common STIs,” said Ashely Cook, a graduate assistant with Health Services. “I think just visibility and awareness is key. Whether you know students engage or whether they don’t engage, at least you know we’re out there and sharing important information to help improve all areas of health and well-being.”
Cook said that student engagement and other groups put on events to spread awareness about topics like mental health and breast cancer, so students know that they have resources to support students’ health.
Health Services is located in the Wilson Medical Arts Building at 416 N Seminary St, and they are the clinic for students and faculty on campus. They can provide contraception and can test for COVID-19 and other illnesses. The clinic also features a small dispensary if steroids or antibiotics are necessary. They function similarly to an outpatient facility. If needed, Health Services can also do medical referrals.
“I think that we kind of come together in collaboration to make sure that students have all that they need,” Bergner said.
