Wellness Center connects students with education and support services
Last week, UW’s Wellness Center held a Substance Awareness Week to encourage students to learn more about what they may be consuming and to help overcome social stigma about getting help when needed by creating a safe space with fun activities to learn. By blending education with entertainment, the Center aimed to lower the barrier for students who might otherwise feel intimidated by health-related programming.
Despite the surface culture at the University, substance usage isn’t as common as one would think. Aleah Biertzer, the Interim Assistant Director of the Wellness Center here on campus said that a shocking amount of incoming students don’t drink alcohol. “66% of our incoming students (for this academic year) abstain from using alcohol, which means that they haven’t had alcohol in at least the last year. One in four have never drank alcohol, and three in five have never used cannabis or tobacco.” Biertzer stated.
These figures challenge the “party school” stereotype, suggesting that a significant majority of the student body is already choosing a substance-free lifestyle.
The timing of this week was strategically planned to catch students shortly before Spring Break. Typically, the National Prevention Week is in May, but the timing of this awareness week was strategically planned by the Wellness Center in order to catch students shortly before the holiday.
“We schedule it two weeks before Spring Break to hopefully catch as many students before they leave, and get them to start thinking about their substance use before a traditionally high use time.” Biertzer said. The goal is to provide students with a “mental toolkit” of safety strategies before they head into environments where peer pressure might increase.
The first day of the awareness week kicked off with a standard drink activity where students had the chance to put their pouring skills to the test. Students who attended learned about the differences in standard alcoholic drink sizes gaining a visual understanding of how easily a single red solo cup for example, can actually contain two or three servings of alcohol.
While events like Substance Jeopardy and the party at Half Acre offered a high-energy way to engage, they also served a deeper purpose: breaking the ice. Beyond the games, one of the Wellness Center’s primary initiatives this week is to normalize the conversation around overconsumption. The activities serve as a low-pressure entry point, allowing students to evaluate their own habits in a relaxed setting. For students who recognize their habits may be crossing a line, the Center is actively encouraging them to bridge the gap to professional support, specifically highlighting the University Counseling Center (UCC) as a confidential, non-judgmental starting point for recovery and habit management. By emphasizing that the UCC is a resource for all students, not just those in a crisis, the Center hopes to encourage early intervention.
“There are always tons of events happening on campus that are considered alcohol alternative events,” Biertzer said, noting that there are many groups on campus that don’t drink or smoke. These alternatives provide a crucial social infrastructure for students who want to stay connected without the presence of substances.
Remember Pokes, during Spring Break, make smart decisions, and if you need help, there are several accessible and nonjudgemental resources available to you on campus. Whether you are looking for a one-time consultation or ongoing support, the Wellness Center and UCC are there to ensure your health remains a priority long after the break is over.
