Health & Well-being Programs and Workshops

The health and well-being units in Student Affairs offer a range of workshops and programs for student organizations and academic classes.

Below is a list of the workshops that you can request from Health Promotion and Wellness (HPW), Campus Recreation, University Health Services (UHS), and Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS).

You will find links below to each unit’s webpage where you can submit a formal request.

• Please submit your request at least two weeks before the program date.

Mental Health First Aid Training

Mental Health First Aid is an evidence-based, early-intervention course that teaches campus community members like yourself about mental health and substance use challenges.

Identify. Understand. Respond.

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an eight-hour program that teaches you how to identify, understand, and respond to mental health and substance use concerns, and gives you the skills to reach out and provide initial help and support. Role playing and simulations are used to demonstrate and practice skills for identifying and responding to mental health concerns and crises.

Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Training

Just like CPR, Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) is an emergency response to someone experiencing a mental health crisis and can save lives. 

Question. Persuade. Refer.

In a 90-minute (1.5 hour) QPR training course you will learn common causes of suicidal behavior, the warning signs of suicide, how to help someone experiencing a mental health crisis, and more.

Health Promotion and Wellness

Our goal is to provide you with education and resources to live your healthiest. Connect with Health Promotion and Wellness for a variety of programs about mindful and balanced living. Topics can include:

• Alcohol Workshop (60 minutes, professional staff)
• How to Help a Friend with an Eating Disorder (90 minutes, professional staff)
• Flourish Penn State: Live Well, Learn Well Workshop (50 minutes, professional staff)
• Mindfulness and Compassion Workshop (60 minutes, professional staff)
• Got Sleep? (50 minutes, peer education staff)
• Mission: Nutrition (50 minutes, peer education staff)
• Safer Sex Party (50 minutes, peer education staff)
• Stress Less (50 minutes, peer education staff)

Campus Recreation

Campus Recreation facilities and programs serve our students, faculty, staff, and community with a diverse offering of wellbeing opportunities to enhance the student experience at University Park.

• Request a Fitness and Well-being workshop
• Request a custom group program or outdoor trip with Outdoor Adventures
• Email for information about custom group swim lessons with Aquatics
• Email to request a customized CPR certification class
• Email to request a tour, presentation or resource fair table representative with a date and time for confirmation

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)

CAPS offers psychoeducational services to the campus community focused on mental health awareness and prevention efforts, as well as group-level support and response to critical events affecting the campus community. Program topics can include:

• Mood Management
• Nurture your nature
• Harm reduction and balance
• Life rhythms
• Understanding self and others
• Coping with change

University Health Services

University Health Services (UHS) is your comprehensive on-campus health care resource. We provide preventative care, education, and resources to help students live a healthy lifestyle.

• Navigating Your Health Care While at Penn State (50 minutes)
• Breast Cancer 101: Life Saving Tips (50 minutes)
• Handwashing: The BASICS (30 minutes)
• STIs - Removing Stigma (50 minutes)
• Lets’ Talk About Sex – Open Forum (90 minutes)
• Sexual Health Trends on College Campuses (50 minutes)
• Your Body Your Choice: Understanding Birth Control (50 minutes)
• What you should know about Testicular Cancer (45 minutes)
• CONSENT: A Building Block to Health Relationships (50 minutes)
• BOUNDARIES: Another Building Block to Health Relationships (50 minutes)
• Menstrual/Mental Hygiene (50 minutes)
• Gratitude (60 minutes)

How does Alcohol Impact Consent?

Most cases of sexual assault at Penn State involve drug or alcohol use by one or both of the people involved. At Penn State, like most other college campuses, alcohol is the most commonly used substance in drug-facilitated sexual assault.

TIP: If you see your friend leaving a party with someone, check to see if they are OK. If your friend seems out of it, then have them leave the party with you. Walk your friend home.

What Is Consent?

At the heart of consent is the idea that every person has the right to determine whether or not they engage in sexual activity. Consent is all about respect for your partner and honoring their boundaries. Consent exists when there is clear, knowing, and voluntary agreement to engage in mutually agreed-upon sexual activity. 

Why is Alcohol So Common In Sexual Assault?

Alcohol is the most common “date rape” drug due to how easily accessible and normalized it is in society. Perpetrators often use alcohol to compromise an individual’s ability to consent to sexual activity. Alcohol inhibits a person’s ability to give consent, understand what is occurring, and can affect your memory.  

Survivors of sexual assault often blame themselves, but it is never their fault. It is always the fault of the perpetrator, who chooses to take advantage of another person. 

Fact: An individual who is incapacitated due to alcohol or drug consumption or who is asleep or unconscious cannot give consent to engage in sexual activity.

Immediate Assitance

If you or anyone else is in immediate danger, call 911 or the University Police (814-863-1111) immediately. You can also go to the Mount Nittany Medical Center Emergency Department or your nearest Emergency Department. 

The Gender Equity Center can provide support Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. Call them at 814-863-2027. 

Centre Safe  can provide support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through their hotline at 1-877-234-5050. 

How to Throw a Safe and Trouble-Free Party

• Keep the party size within the occupancy limits. Everyone should fit inside the space you have. Don’t overflow into the driveway or the neighbor’s yard.
• Be a good neighbor. Tell your neighbors about the party. Encourage them to contact you FIRST if there’s a problem. Give them your name and phone number so they can call you.
• Know your guests. Only invite people you know and trust. Turn away anyone who is visibly intoxicated. You are legally responsible for the actions of everyone at the party.
• Keep the noise within reason. If your party is too loud, the police are likely to show up.
• Provide non-alcoholic drinks and food.
• Designate a housemate as the sober host. This person can keep tabs on the noise, number of guests, and other potential problems.
• Don’t serve alcohol to minors.
• Don’t over-serve alcohol to guests.
• Provide trash and recycling containers. Clean up any trash as soon as the party is over to avoid getting a fine.

Be a good neighbor

If you live in the Borough of State College, keep these things in mind. 

Nuisance Property Points: All rental properties are subject to the Rental Suspension Ordinance. This means if your rental property accumulates 10 points within 12 months, the owner could lose his or her ability to rent the property at the end of the current lease. Properties may have pre-existing points assigned to their rental permit at the time you begin your lease. 

Refuse Ordinance: It is illegal to improperly dispose of refuse (garbage) or recyclables, including party materials such as cans, cups, and bottles. Party related trash and recyclables should be cleaned up immediately after a party. A citation can be issued for repeated or egregious circumstances. Fines range from $300 to $1,000.

Noise Ordinance: If noise from a residence is considered unreasonable, the police can issue a citation at any time. The ordinance can be enforced when complaints are made or when oficers observe unreasonable noise. There is no legal right or guarantee to a warning.

The following factors will be taken into account when deciding to issue a citation: the intensity of the noise, time of day, day of week, duration of noise, if the sound is temporary, and if the property has received prior warning or complaints. Fines include $750 for the first offense and $1,000 for any subsequent offenses in any 120-day period or 30 days in prison if not are not paid.

Understanding Alcohol Violations On and Off Campus

If you are involved with an alleged alcohol-related violation, you potentially face sanctions by the University as well as criminal charges by local authorities. These are separate and distinct processes and you will likely have to respond to both the University’s Conduct Process as well as the Criminal Process for the same event. 

The Student Code of Conduct applies on AND off campus

The Student Code of Conduct applies to conduct that occurs on and off campus, including activities on University premises; at University-sponsored activities; at functions, activities, or events hosted by recognized student organizations, and other off-campus locations when the behavior affects a substantial University interest. 

• Learn more about the Student Code of Conduct and alcohol violations on and off campus. 

First Violation

If you accept or are found responsible for a first-time violation for underage consumption or possession, you will receive, at a minimum, a conduct warning through the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response. You will also be required by Penn State to attend the BASICS program which has a $250 fee. The local magistrate may also require you to complete a Youthful Offenders Program. In State College, the fee for the Youthful Offenders Program is $250

If you accept or are found responsible for a first-time violation for excessive consumption or driving while impaired, at a minimum, you will be placed on conduct probation by the University. You will also be required by Penn State to attend the BASICS program which has a $250 fee. A letter will also be sent home as part of our parental notification policy for any alcohol or drug violation.

Avoid getting an alcohol violation

• Don’t carry an open container of alcohol.
• Don’t draw attention to yourself (for example, by being loud or by urinating outside).
• Don’t be visibly drunk in any public place, on or off campus. This includes tailgate areas. This is a violation, regardless of age.
• Don’t walk home alone. Have a friend with you or use Penn State’s SAFE WALK, 814-865-WALK (9255).
• Don’t drink if you are under 21

Alcohol and Residence Halls

Alcohol Laws in Pennsylvania

State College Ordinances