Fit for Study Logo

“Health promotion is the process of enabling people to increase control over and improve their health.”
Ottawa Charter 1986

At UWA, health promotion is conducted by the Health Promotion Unit in the Medical Centre with several key foci and two dedicated health promotion staff. The Fit for Study framework aims to reinforce the link between good health and academic performance and to encourage greater understanding of health promotion.

The team has implemented projects to meet the needs of students and to encourage a greater understanding of the link between educational achievements with behavioural choices and wellbeing. The team conducts health promotion activities across several health areas with focus on Alcohol and other Drugs, Mental Health and Sexuality, Sexual Health and Relationships.

Location: The health promotion office is located in Room G.02, SIMS Building (behind the Physics building).

Programs

Alcohol and Other Drugs

Tertiary Alcohol Project (TAP)

This innovative project is designed to reduce risk-taking behaviour associated with excessive alcohol consumption by university students, using creative and interactive activities. You may be familiar with some of the TAP activities, such as the Skippers Program in the Tav and Pitstops in the colleges. Maybe you’ve tried your hand at the Fatal Vision Goggles? You might have also seen the newsletters and comic strips around campus. If not, checkout what you’ve been missing!

Learn more about the Tertiary Alcohol Project

Mental Health

Stress Less

'Stress Less' is a UWA Mental Health initiative. It aims to raise awareness of issues that cause stress and anxiety among university students, and break the stigma associated with mental health. The Stress Less website is a great source of friendly advice and useful tips for students who are expected to actually study during their uni days, while trying to juggle part time work, relationships, social activities and other things that students do. Each year, two 'Stress Less @ UWA' Fairs are held in the pre-examination period. This is a collaborative effort between the UWA Medical Centre and UWA Guild to address lifestyle issues that impact on mental health.

Learn more about Stress Less

Mental Health First Aid

Do you wish you had a better understanding of mental health disorders? Want to learn how to recognise and provide support to others who may be experiencing mental health issues? Mental Health First Aid is a 12 hour course developed by the Centre of Mental Health Research at the Australian National University and UWA is the first University in Western Australia to offer the course to staff and students.

In this course participants will learn:

How to recognise the symptoms of mental illnesses
The possible causes or risk factors for these illnesses
The evidenced-based medical, psychological and alternative treatments available.
How to give appropriate initial help and support to a person suffering one of these illnesses
How to take appropriate action if a crisis situation arises involving suicidal behaviour, panic attack, stress reaction to trauma or threatening psychotic behaviour.

Learn more about Mental Health First Aid

If these skills appeal to you, keep an eye out for the next MHFA course, or for more information email tricia.wylde@uwa.edu.au

Sexual Health

Sexuality, Sexual Health and Relationships Education (SHARE)

SHARE is a health program which aims to increase the knowledge and skills of UWA students around the topics of sexuality, sexual health and relationships, and make them more aware of, and comfortable in accessing, the related on and off-campus services available to them. The program provides information on: effective communication in relationships, sexual decision making, intimacy, coerced/unwanted sexual experiences, STIs, contraception, men’s health, women’s health and the links between alcohol and other drug consumption and sexual health.

Learn more about SHARE

Asthma Service

The UWA Medical Centre Asthma Service can provide you with:

Staff that have up-to-date asthma knowledge
A comprehensive service to help you get your asthma under control and to maintain that control
One-on-one asthma education
Lung function tests
GP 3+ Visit Plan

There is no extra cost and appointments with the Asthma Educator are free.

To make an appointment with the Asthma Educator phone 6488 2118 or visit us at the Medical Centre.

Resources

The Health Promotion Office carries an extensive range of resources, brochures, booklets and posters on a variety of health topics including alcohol and other drugs, sexual health and mental health. Written information is an essential tool to support people in taking control of their health and being informed consumers.

For more information about our resources pop into the office or call 6488 4230 or 6488 1734.

Volunteer Opportunities

Whether you want to put all those skills you've learnt throughout your degree into practice, or just want to try your hand at something new, by volunteering at events you’ll get first hand experience in the implementation of a health promotion project. It’s a great way to build confidence, enhance your communication skills, and the experience looks great on your resume! Full training is provided, and volunteers also have the opportunity to participate in a number of exciting workshops to enhance personal and professional development. Activities that have been run by volunteers include the Skippers Program in the Tav, and the Pitstop event in the colleges and on campus. If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer, fill out the volunteer registration form, and you will be notified of upcoming training, events and workshops.

The Health Promotion Unit