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Monday, 26 April 2010

Drink spiking and unwanted sexual contact, alcohol consumption, men's sexual health and mental health are some of the issues to be highlighted at tomorrow's Health Day at UWA.

The annual event involves UWA health science students forming teams to promote issues of particular relevance to students.

This year's event includes a ‘drink-spiking ninja' to raise awareness of unwanted sexual contact.  Student Alex Clark said victims of drink spiking had been identified as generally being 24 years or younger, which was the age of many university students.

"Sexual assault related to drink spiking is often perpetrated by offenders known to the victim and this highlights the importance of an awareness-raising intervention," he said.

A ‘Jedi mascot', highlighting sexually transmitted infections, will make a special appearance at the men's sexual health stall, where Courtney Taylor's student team will promote safe sexual behaviour.

"Through our research on campus, we found there was a low awareness of the dangers of STIs and how to prevent them," he said.  "We also found that students were less likely to seek information or treatment due to ignorance, fear or inexperience."

A clinical nurse from Fremantle Hospital Sexual Health Clinic will be at Health Day with the team to provide expert information and advice.

There were many ways to boost mental wellbeing, including healthy eating, physical activity and building strong social networks, student Claire Taylor said.

Her team's project, Fitness, Food and Friendship - Inspiring a Mentally Healthy U-WA, will give away fresh fruit, run quizzes on step counts and promote sporting clubs and societies on offer to students.

Ms Taylor said her team would present a petition for a bicycle-sharing scheme on campus to UWA Guild President Emma Greeney.  "We want environmentally friendly solutions for the future that will encourage students to ride rather than drive to and around campus," she said.

A mental health stall will also focus on reducing stress among university students by promoting resources and developing skills to help students seek help.

Student Jodi Kirstein said her team aimed to ensure students felt positive about making changes to reduce stress in their lives, for the longer term.

"Stress has many detrimental effects on students including social isolation, poor academic performance, interrupted sleep patterns and even clinical depression or suicide," she said.  "It's essential for students to learn how to manage and reduce stress levels to help achieve their goals and a successful career."

EVENT: Health Day

WHEN: Tuesday, April 27, 2010, 12-2pm

WHERE: Oak Lawn, UWA campus

Media references

Janine MacDonald (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 5563  /  (+61 4) 32 637 716

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