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| Photo courtesy of http://freecondomsamples.org/ |
Alright, I know they're not that expensive, but I'm not just talking about condoms here. Going away to college is a time when many people are exposed to new and sometimes dangerous things like alcohol, drugs, and sex. Colleges know this and many have health education programs to promote awareness, safety, and cessation of unsafe behaviors.
Not to be confused with student health centers, which provide medical treatment to students, health education centers are hubs of resources. Boston College University Health Services offers several anonymous online surveys to determine if you would benefit from a professional consultation. In many health education offices, like that of Boston College, there is a close relationship with the student health center as well as counseling centers and other community services to offer professional consultations on a number of matters, from alcohol abuse to depression to eating disorders and more.
So why free condoms? Health Education programs use many methods to promote safe sexual behaviors. They provide pamphlets of information on safe sex and abstinence, as well as healthy relationships. As part of an active promotion of safe sex, they often provide free condoms and lubricant. Ball State University's Health Education office is even available to present on topics like "Sexual Health Bingo" and "SOS: Safer Oral Sex" for groups of students.
Stress is another hot button topic on college campuses that is addressed by health education programs. Brown University Health Education offers "burp" (Brown University Relaxation Program) which offers 6-8 minute stress-relieving shoulder rubs to students, no strings attached! The University of California, Irvine's Health Education Center houses a "wellness room" complete with a massage chair and a Nintendo Wii for burning off that finals stress!
Students, health education centers provide tons of services, usually free of charge. Stop by, grab some pamphlets, and maybe a condom or two. Don't be embarrassed to use these services - you're paying for them with your tuition, and they're designed just for you!
