Student Health Advocates
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Request an Outreach Program
Choose from a variety of FREE, fun & interactive health education programs for your group or organization facilitated by the Student Health Advocates. Request a program by filling out the online form or by calling (858)534-1824.
What SHAs Do
The UCSD Student Health Advocate (SHA) Program is a volunteer peer health education program that is an important part of the Health Education team at UCSD Student Health Services. SHAs are trained to educate other students about health issues and concerns through educational outreach programs on campus, in the San Diego community, and in local San Diego County elementary and high schools.
SHAs specialize in one of the following areas:
These SHAs present outreach education programs on nutrition, stress management, sleep, and fitness, perform blood pressure checks, and plan General Health Awareness events on campus.
These SHAs facilitate the sexual health information sessions at Student Health Services, present outreach education programs on safer sex, birth control, and sexually transmitted diseases, perform blood pressure checks, and plan Sexual Health Awareness events on campus.
Check out the SHA - Staff interviews here!
The benefits of becoming a Student Health Advocate include:
- Enhanced communication, decision-making and leadership skills
- Improved presentation, teaching, and facilitation skills
- Extensive knowledge of health promotion, disease prevention, and college health issues
- Valuable experience for future employment, academic endeavors, and professional licensure
- Being part of a skilled, fun, diverse team of students committed to providing accurate, non-judgmental health information to peers on campus and youth in the community.
Who can be an SHA?
Undergraduate students of any major, college, or class level may apply. The only requirement is an interest in health education, the ability to effectively communicate, and a few hours of your time each week. The application and selection process takes place each winter quarter, followed by training throughout the spring quarter.
This comprehensive training is based on a lecture series from a variety of disciplines (MDs, RNPs, MPHs) and covers awareness, values clarification, and communication skills, in addition to health topics.
After training, students are required to volunteer for a minimum of three quarters, developing, promoting and implementing health education programs and working in the health center.
Participation in this program allows students to develop health knowledge and skills, build friendships and interact with health professionals. Leadership and academic internship opportunities exist for motivated students.
Students interested in becoming a SHA should possess the following:
- A strong interest and enthusiasm in promoting healthy behaviors among peers
- An open mind to diverse cultures, practices, and sexual orientations different from your own
- Sensitivity to controversial and personal topics and a willingness to talk candidly about them
- Dedication and commitment to health promotion, disease prevention, and responsibility as an SHA volunteer
- Sincere concern for others, their well-being, and quality of life
Questions about the SHA Program? Contact Erica Okamura, Peer Health Education Coordinator, at eokamura@ucsd.edu, or call (858) 534-1824.
