UWA Health Promotion Unit Level 2, South Wing Guild Village
Fit For Study Newsletter UWA HEALTH PROMOTION UNIT: SPRING EDITION 2012
Losing Track of Your Standards?: Knowing Standard Drinks & BAC What you need to know... 1 standard drink = BAC0.03% in women BAC0.02% in men The legal BAC limit for driving is: 0.05% on a full licence 0.00% if a learner or on your P-plates It takes about 1 hour for your body to break down each standard drink your BAC (vomiting, food, water or sleep will After a big night, you may still be over the legal driving limit the next morning or into the afternoon
Beverage BEER
Calculating your Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) can be a tricky business. On average, a male’s BAC will increase by 0.02% per standard drink and a female’s by 0.03%. This difference is mainly due to males having a higher proportion of body fluid in which the alcohol can be diluted. Every standard drink consumed will also take approximately 1 hour for the body to break down this can be a long time if you have drunk a substantial amount.
Only time will lower
not make a difference!)
Do you know how many standard drinks are in your favourite brew? Or how long it takes for your body to break down the alcohol? If you answered no to either of those questions read on…
After a big night, a person’s BAC may still be 0.05% or above the next morning or early in the afternoon, making it illegal and unsafe for them to drive. For a confidential and personalised snapshot of your alcohol consumption visit E-Chug, on the Tertiary Alcohol Project website.
WINE
Serving
Std Drinks
Pint (full strength)
1.6
Middy (full strength)
1.1
Stubbie (mid strength)
1.0
Average restaurant glass (150mL)
1.5 1.0
Standard glass (100mL) 36 Cask white wine (4L) SPIRITS
Standard shot (30mL)
1.0
Full strength pre-mix (5%)
1.2
High strength pre-mix (7%)
1.8
To reduce the risk of harm to you and others if you are drinking… 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Eat a meal before you start drinking Keep track of what you drink Space drinks out - no more than 1/hour Plan how you will get home beforehand Never let yourself or a friend be driven by someone you believe to be drunk
R U Ok? Reaching Out for Better Mental Health
Inside this issue: Allied for Pride this October
2
Join Movember for Men’s Health
2
Preparing for Travel Overseas
2
When Do You Really Need an STI Test?
3
TAP Success
3
Healthy Happenings at UWA
3
The UWA Health Promotion Unit
4
Interested in volunteering?
4
During a time of crisis, asking someone the question “are you ok?!” could end up saving a life. Suicide kills more 15-24 year olds every year than cancer, pedestrian accidents, motorbike accidents, drugs and poisoning put together. Many people will have been touched by suicide or self harm, whether it is through their own experience or that of someone close to them.
If you know someone who may be having a hard time, simply ask them how they’re going. You may feel awkward at first but the person will generally appreciate the support and the chance to express how they’re feeling. If you think that they may put themselves or someone else in danger, be sure to seek professional help from UWA Counselling on 6488 2423 or Mental Health Emergency Services on 1300 555 788.
The HPU and Counselling team at R U Ok? Day at UWA, September 13, 2012
FIT FOR STUDY NEWSLETTER
Allied for PRIDE this October October is Pride month - a celebration of cultural expression and support for the rights and freedoms of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex (GLBTI) and other same sex attracted people living in WA.
The rainbow flag represents the GLBTI community universally
UWA has an active student-led Queer Department, that provides support and run events for GLBTI or questioning students on campus. To celebrate Pride, they will be running a number of events on campus so check out their
Mo
For those who may not be aware, during November each year, Movember is responsible for the sprouting of moustaches. The aim is to raise vital funds and awareness for men’s health. Statistics show that, on average, men die at a younger age than women, largely due to irregular medical check-ups and a having a generally more lax attitude toward
Top 10 Travel Health Tips… 1. Visit a doctor before you leave 2. Drink purified water 3. Eat well-cooked foods 4. Always use condoms 5. Wear insect repellent 6. Don’t get tattooed or pierced 7. Pack a basic medical kit 8. Write down where you are staying (or get a card) 9. Take out travel insurance 10. Let someone know where you are & your rough plans Page 2
The UWA ALLY Network works toward creating a more inclusive culture at UWA by promoting greater visibility, rights and awareness of GLBTI staff and students and their issues.
Become an Ally and show your support
You can become a UWA ALLY and show your support for the rights of the GLBTI community. Visit the UWA Equity and Diversity Department online for more information.
ers and Shakers in Movember
The annual Movember challenge is coming, so it’s your time to shine and make a pledge for improving men’s health.
Join Movember this year to spread awareness and knowledge of men’s health issues
Facebook page by searching “UWA Queer Department and Supporters” for more info.
health maintenance. Like women, men should have a health check at least once a year or ASAP if a health issue arises. Movember aims to put a fun twist on this serious issue, using the moustache as a catalyst to give men the opportunity and confidence to talk about their health more openly.
Register to get involved in Movember with the UWA team as a „UWA Mower‟
This year, why not join our 'UWA Mowers' team (open to staff and students) and support others on campus who are also getting behind the cause.
Destination Unknown? Do Your Homework! Whether you’re backpacking, cruising or having a weekend trip, it’s a good idea to check out potential health and safety dangers at your destination.
medications you may need.
Certain diseases are more common outside Australia, like malaria, tuberculosis, hepatitis and HIV. It’s important to do This could not only save you some research before you precious money and time, but also leave, so that you know the from getting a serious illness on risks and can pack and arrange your trip. accordingly. As a general rule, you should visit your doctor 6-8 weeks before travelling. This will give you time to get any vaccinations or
Visit www.travellers-help.com for location-specific health and safety risk information. There is also a mobile app available!
Disease knows no borders! Prepare yourself before you travel
UWA HEALTH PROMOTION UNIT: SPRING EDITION 2012
Myths and Misconceptions: When Do You Really Need an STI Check? Most people know that if they are having sex they should get checked for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). But how often is too often or not often enough? If you have had unprotected sex you should get tested ASAP or within 3 months of the encounter. This will reduce your risk of infertility and transmitting the infection to another partner. 80% of women who have
tested positive for Chlamydia have had no noticeable symptoms so a test is most often the only way to know that you have it.
If you have any symptoms such as burning, redness, itching or discharge see a doctor to get tested immediately.
If you are having sex with one partner you should get tested every 12 months and/ or before you start having sex with a new partner. Just because you are in a relationship, doesn’t mean that you are protected against STIs!
Sexually transmitted infections are on the rise in WA, with 65% of cases in the 15-24 year age bracket1. Testing is a super simple, quick process that you can even do confidentially at www.couldihaveit.com.au.
What is sex? Your thoughts from Red STI Testing Day, 4 September, 2012
For FREE student STI testing call the UWA Medical Centre on 6488 2118 for an appointment
TAP Success: Winner of the ICCWA Community Safety Award The UWA Health Promotion Unit was recently awarded the 2012 Outstanding Achievement in Community Safety Award by the Injury Control Council of WA (ICCWA), recognising a decade of the Tertiary Alcohol Project.
The HPU team revelling in their success
The Tertiary Alcohol Project has been run at UWA since 2002 using a variety of health promotion strategies to reduce alcoholrelated harm to students. Deborah Costello, ICCWA CEO said, “Given the recent
discussions in the media regarding the drinking behavior of university students, it’s wonderful to see such a project committed to addressing the issue”. She congratulated the UWA Health Promotion Unit for supporting the initiative over the last ten years.
“The strength and success of this program is its partnership approach” Tricia Wylde Manager, Health Promotion Unit
The awards were presented by Professor Fiona Wood (Director of the Royal Perth Hospital Burns Unit and the WA Burns Service) on the 19th of July at Tompkins Park Function Centre in Melville.
What’s On? Healthy Happenings This Spring @ UWA... What is it?
When and where?
Who runs it?
How much?
How do I get involved?
Self Defence Classes - Jujitsu style
Tuesdays, 4-5:00pm (ends 30/10/12) Student Guild The Oak Lawn
FREE!
Just show up!
Yoga Classes
Tuesdays, 5-6:00pm (ends 30/10/12) Student Guild The Oak Lawn
FREE!
Just show up!
$12 for members $16 for nonmembers
Report to the reception area 10 minutes before your class Visit www.sport.uwa.edu.au for the full timetable
Group fitness classes Multiple times daily - 14 types to choose from UWA Recreation Centre
UWA Sports
National Bike to Work Day - Ride your bike instead of driving to Uni
Wednesday 17th October
Department of FREE! Try and Transport borrow a bike if you don’t have one
Ride to UWA on the day and visit the free Bike Doctor on campus between 8:00am-1:00pm on the Saw Promenade
Halal food on campus
All Guild food outlets
Student Guild
Buy some!
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Varied
The University of Western Australia UWA Health Promotion Unit Medical Centre Level 2, South Wing, Guild Village Phone: 6488 3173 E-mail: healthpromotion@uwa.edu.au Web: www.fitforstudy.uwa.edu.au
The UWA Health Promotion Unit runs health promotion programs for students with a focus on Alcohol and other Drugs, Mental Health and Sexuality, Sexual Health and Relationships. We work to help students to be Fit For Study and achieve their potential at UWA! Meet our team‌
Tricia Wylde
Gemma Jahn
Manager of Health Promotion
Project Officer Strategic Planning and Training
us on Facebook!
UWA Health Promotion Unit
Alexa Wilkins
Emma Hawkins
Project Officer Mentally Healthy & International Student Health Projects
Health Promotion Officer Tertiary Alcohol Project, SHARE Program, Volunteer Coordinator
Interested in volunteering? Come and join us at the Health Promotion Unit and get involved in our projects. We have something for everyone! Are you a social media addict? Like graphic design? Bit of a research nut? Smooth talker who likes outreach? We would love to hear from you! For more information or to register visit www.fitforstudy.uwa.edu.au or call Emma our Fit For Study Volunteer Coordinator on 6488 3173. Sources: 1 Australian Government Department of Health. 2012. Quarterly Surveillance report: Notifiable sexually transmissible infections and blood-borne viruses in Western Australia. http:// www.public.health.wa.gov.au (accessed 9 September, 2012).