Healthy Loving

Utah State University’s Student Health and Wellness Center and Counseling Center are teaming up to sponsor “Healthy Relationships and Sexual Responsibility Week” Feb. 13-17 on campus.

“The week of Valentine’s Day is a great opportunity to think about the responsible behaviors that encourage healthy relationships,” said Jana Carling, prevention specialist in the Student Health and Wellness Center and event organizer. “Positive connections to others are crucial for our health and happiness.”

Carling said this is the eighth year USU has participated in the nationwide campaign, which is coordinated by Bacchus and Gamma Peer Education Network and observed on college campuses throughout the nation.

Highlighting USU’s observance is the panel discussion, “Dating 101,” on Wednesday, Feb. 15, at 2:30 p.m. in the Taggart Student Center’s second-floor Evan N. Stevenson Ballroom. Panelists for the question-and-answer discussion include licensed clinical psychologist David Bush of the USU Counseling Center, and dating researcher Renee Galliher of USU’s Psychology Department, along with a diverse group of USU students. Door prizes will be given at the gathering.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, Feb. 14-15, the centers sponsor an information table in the TSC basement, where students can talk with staff members and receive literature on healthy relationships and sexual responsibility, as well as tips for fun, affordable dating activities. In addition, the table will feature gift certificate drawings for dining and entertainment.

Carling said signs that resemble the ever-popular NECCO Sweetheart Conversation Hearts will be posted around campus sporting relationship responsibility tips. Also, a feature with dating advice called, “Cupid’s Tips,” will appear in the Utah Statesman student newspaper during the week’s observance.

“We’ve chosen dating as our focus this year, but the advice and educational material we’re providing extends beyond romantic relationships,” said Carling. “We’re also promoting behaviors that support better communication between parents and children, siblings and friends.”

Carling offers these tips for building healthy relationships:

Open communication is crucial. Each person must be able to voice concerns, feelings and beliefs without intimidation or ridicule.
Each person in a relationship needs his or her “own space.” A person should be able to enjoy hobbies, interests and friends outside of the relationship, without the other person behaving jealously or possessively.
Verbal degradation, even if it starts out as a joke, is harmful to a relationship.
Each partner in a relationship needs to focus on the feelings and needs of the other as well as their own.

For more information about Healthy Relationships and Sexual Responsibility Week at USU, contact Carling at 435-797-1010.