Mission
The Center for Health Education and Wellness (CHEW) strives to improve the health and well-being of our campus through evidence-informed strategies. We work to empower all vols to make informed decisions about their well-being and adopt lasting healthy behaviors. Through advocacy and collaboration, we work to develop an environment that supports the community’s decisions.
Vision
CHEW’s vision is to foster an environment for individual and community well-being for our University of Tennessee – Knoxville community.
Focus Areas
The Center for Health Education and Wellness is dedicated to a community model that is embodied in the “VOLS HELP VOLS” commitment: We are all Volunteers. We look out for each other.
Based on data collected from our campus-wide assessments, campus feedback surveys, and national research, CHEW develops campaigns and initiatives to address the health and wellness needs of our campus community.
Participants engaging with the Alcohol & Other Drug Risk Reduction (AOD) focus area will be able to:
- make decisions that promote safe, healthy behaviors and reduce risk related to AOD use.
- appraise oneself accurately regarding their current AOD use.
- identify and utilize campus/community resources.
- demonstrate AOD misuse/use disorder awareness, understanding, and advocacy
Participants engaging with the General Health & Wellness (GHW) focus area will be able to:
- Develop health-building skills around the basic health and wellness components, including mental health, stress, resilience, sleep, nutrition, and other general health and wellness. Learn stress management and sleep hygiene techniques through guided skill-building activities and programs.
- Learn about the 8 dimensions of wellness and the holistic approach to well-being.
- Connect with community and campus resources related to both mental and physical well-being.
Participants engaging with the Relationship & Sexual Violence Prevention (RSVP) focus area will:
- Develop the knowledge and skills they need to make informed decisions related to consent, relationships, and sexual health.
- Understand sexual misconduct and learn how to help prevent it by practicing consent, using the Vols A.C.T. model to be an ACTive bystander, and identifying resources available.
Participants engaging with the VOLS 2 VOLS Peer Health Education initiative as peer health educators will be able to:
- Demonstrate ethical decision-making skills per the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) Peer Educator Code of Ethics
- Describe the consequences of risky behavior on students’ emotional and/or physical wellness and academic success.
- Explain the role of peer educators in contributing to a healthy and sustainable campus community
- Create a healthy and sustainable campus community through peer health education outreach activities.
Participants engaging with the Rocky Top Recovery program will:
- have increased knowledge on recovery and resiliency as it relates to mental health, substance use, and suicide prevention.
- be aware of their access to recovery friendly events for students as it relates to substance use and mental health.
- understand their perception of addiction and mental health disorders and be able to combat stigma as it relates to substance use disorder and mental health.
Participants engaging with the employee wellness focus area will:
- enhance their individual relationship to one of the eight dimensions of wellness.
- develop an awareness and understanding of health promoting skills.