Download The Morning Reflection Alfred University Wellness Center Presents: October Events:

Alfred University Wellness Center Presents:
The Morning Reflection
October 2015
October Events:
Surprise! - We’re Talking About Alcohol– Again

National Substance Abuse
Prevention Month
Did you know :
 85% of college students across the nation choose to use a designated driver while drinking
 95% of college students have not damaged property as a result of alcohol use
 89% of college students have not had trouble with the authorities as a result of alcohol consumption.

Domestic Violence Awareness
Month
These are good statistics to consider as Halloween approaches and you are undoubtedly planning your festivities. BUT
also keep in mind that alcohol is the number one health problem on college campuses.

Breast Cancer Awareness
Month

10/2-10/3: Tai Chi and Health
Conference. To register:
http://confucius.alfred.edu

10/4-10/10: Mental Illness
Awareness Week:
#IAmStigmaFree
We at the Wellness Center want to remind you to please drink responsibly in a manner that is the least harmful to
yourself and to others. That means knowing your limits, counting your drinks and understanding how alcohol works in
the body– no, it does not effect everyone in the same way! Blood Alcohol Content or BAC is effected by numerous
factors such as: the amount of alcohol consumed, the rate it is consumed, the drinker’s weight and body mass, genderwomen produce less of the enzyme that metabolizes alcohol in the stomach than men, and the amount of food in the
stomach.
If you see someone who has had too much to drink and looks like they need help-offer assistance!

10/6: Domestic Violence:
presentation by Heather Frost,
ACCORD Domestic Violence
Program Manager, 12:10-1:10Nevins

10/6: Flu Clinic: 11:30-1:30 PM
305 Powell Campus Center

10/8: Flu Clinic: 3-5 PM– McLane

10/13: Flu Clinic: 11:30-1:30 PM
305 Powell Campus Center

10/13: Mental Health Movie
Night: Smashed– 7 PM Nevins
Theatre

10/15: Flu Clinic: 3-5 PM–
McLane

10/24: Celebrate Service,
Celebrate Allegany

If you see someone who is too intoxicated to consent, ask their friends to help them get them home
safely. If their friends are nowhere to be found, bring them home or stay with them and reach out to
public safety (607) 871-2108

Know the signs of alcohol poisoning and what to do if you are confronted with it
Check out AU’s Amnesty Policy: http://our.alfred.edu/index.cfm/fuseaction/student_policies.index.cfm
Early Detection Saves Lives
October is breast cancer awareness month. One important thing women can do to prevent breast cancer is to know
their genetic risk for breast cancer. Some women carry certain genetic changes in their BRCA genes that increase
their risk for getting breast, ovarian and other kinds of cancers at a young age. BRCA stands for Breast Cancer
susceptibility gene. There are two of these genes; BRCA1 and BRCA2. If a woman has changes or mutations of
these genes, cells are more likely to divide and change rapidly, which can lead to cancer. Without treatment, women
with a BRCA gene mutation are seven times more likely to get breast cancer and 30 times more likely to get ovarian
cancer before the age of 70. www.cdc.gov.
Go to www.knowbrca.org to use an online tool to estimate your chances of having a BRCA gene mutation based on
your personal and family history of cancer. If you have concerns about your personal risk talk with your family
provider to see if testing for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutation is right for you.
Make A Difference
This October 24th, millions of volunteers will unite with a common mission– to improve the lives of others. Make A
Difference Day is the largest national day of community service. Engaging in community service provides students
the opportunity to become active in the community as well as be positive contributors to society. The benefits of
community service are vast:



Important Phone Numbers:
Counseling Services:
607-871-2300
Health Services:
607-871-2400
Public Safety:
607-871-2108
Counselor-on-Call:
(For after-hours counseling
emergencies)
607-742-5485
Student Affairs:
607-871-2132
Residence Life:
607-871-2186
Isaman’s Taxi Service:
607-281-0029
Also find us on :
FB: AU Wellness Center:
Counseling & Health Services
Instagram: auwellness
Twitter: @WellnessBAE

Life satisfaction, feeling good about yourself, can help reduce stress and depression
Engages students with the community and increases social responsibility
Helps students enhance their knowledge base and develop new and improved skills such as communication and
interpersonal skills
Looks great on your resume and helps connect you with more references and possible job opportunities
Luckily, for those of you who want to give community service a try- Alfred University, Alfred State College and
Houghton College team up every year on Make A Difference Day for a day of service called Celebrate Service,
Celebrate Allegany. Thanks to the generosity of local business donors, the colleges are able to provide
transportation, lunches, safety equipment, and t-shirts to the volunteers. Please contact AU’s Service Learning
Coordinator, Corey Fecteau, at [email protected] or 607-871-2164 if you or your clubs, teams, classes, residence
halls, etc. would like to participate.
If you would like to hear about more ways to make a difference, such as our Peer Education Program, please visit
us on Social Media– Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and our website!
Together, Let’s End the Stigma!
1 IN 4 PEOPLE LIVE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS
Although there has been a recent increase in dialog about mental illness in the United States, mental illness remains
stigmatized and greatly misunderstood. This is a primary reason why individuals suffering from mental illnesses,
such as depression and anxiety, do not seek professional help. Research shows that even though millions of people in
the United States suffer from mental illness, only about 20% speak up and receive treatment. Given that
approximately 40,000 people per year attempt suicide due to mental health issues, it is imperative that we continue
the conversation about mental illness, its effects, and how we can help those suffering from it.
Helping to end the stigma of mental illness involves addressing some common myths about it, including
misconceptions about people who experience it. Check us out on Facebook (AU Wellness Center Counseling and
Health Services) to read about myths surrounding mental illness and to listen to a podcast on this topic by Lily Wolf,
licensed marriage and family therapist and counselor at the Wellness Center.
Friends and family can be important support systems for those suffering from mental illnesses. If you have someone
that you care for that you believe is suffering from mental illness, there are ways you can help.





Reaching out and letting them know you are there
Helping them access mental health services (walk them to the Wellness Center Counseling Services!)
Learning and sharing the facts about mental health, especially if hear something that isn’t true
Treating someone with a mental illness with respect
Refusing to define them by their diagnosis or using labels such as “crazy” or “psycho”