Healthy Relationships

We offer tampons, pads, and menstrual cups (subject to current supply) at no charge for students who need them. They are located on the table to the right as you enter the office. This service is meant to assist students with an unexpected need. If your financial situation doesn't allow for regular access to tampons or pads please speak with us and we'll work with you to address your need as well as discuss other basic needs you may have.  

If you do choose to have sex, it is important to understand what safe sex looks like. Here is a guide to what isn't sex safe, to better know what is. If you are ever questioning what safer sex is, go ask Alice! 

STDs affect over 110 million Americans each year… and they are 100% preventable. STDs can vary from lifelong battles to infections like chlamydia and gonorrhea, which can be treated with antibiotics. If you choose to have sex, it's important to get tested on a regular basis and to practice safe sex. 

Knowledge Is Power 

Knowing about STDs, how they are contracted, and what you can do to prevent their transmission allows you to make the healthiest decisions possible! These CDC fact sheets are a simple guide to familiarize yourself with what is out there. 

If you're sexually active get tested for STDs regularly and between partners. 

• Confidential STD testing is available by appointment at the Student Health Center for a fee. 
• The STD Clinic at Harborview is only blocks from campus and offers comprehensive STD testing and treatment. No appointment necessary, payment for medical services uses a sliding fee scale, and everyone will be seen regardless of ability to pay. 
• Lifelong offers free HIV rapid testing.  

HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus and if left untreated, can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Unlike most viruses, your body cannot completely get rid of HIV with treatment. Once you have HIV, it is a lifelong journey. The CDC provides great resources on HIV and AIDS. 

With modern technology, there are a variety of treatment plans and preventative measures to decrease the spread of HIV. 

Find Your Community 

There are many supportive organizations in Seattle to assist people living with HIV and AIDS. This is not a journey anyone has to take alone. 

• Lifelong is a community health organization committed to empowering people living with or at risk of HIV and/or other chronic conditions to lead healthier lives. They are located close to campus and can assist with many levels of care. 
• People of Color Against AIDS Network is a non-profit committed to providing comprehensive, multicultural awareness and prevention messages aimed at addressing health disparities experienced in marginalized communities. 

PrEP stands for Pre-exposure Prophylaxis. PrEP is a pill that you can take once a day to reduce the chances of contracting HIV. PrEP can lower HIV contraction through sex by 90% and can lower contraction through injection drugs by 70%. The Student Health Center can help you determine if PrEP is right for you and can prescribe it. 

We believe everyone has a role to play in preventing violence on campus and in the broader community. We want to empower students to be involved in the conversation about violence prevention and to take action through bystander intervention. Wellness and Health Promotion is the primary office responsible for this work at SU and if you have any questions or ideas, we welcome a conversation.

Voices for Change is an online training program designed to promote a healthier and safer campus environment for everyone. Seattle University requires all incoming students to complete the program prior to attending classes. Voices for Change is divided into four critical areas which students face. Those areas are: living in and supporting an inclusive community, understanding and preventing sexual misconduct through bystander intervention, understanding alcohol and other drugs, and preventing hazing and bullying. This program is just one part of our commitment to these topics. During our students' time at Seattle University, they will have the opportunity to engage in an array of programs and activities that are more in depth explorations of these topics including bystander intervention, examining anti-racist practices, understanding sexual violence myths, risk reduction centered approaches to alcohol and other drugs, among others. 

We have an ongoing partnership with the One Love Foundation and offer workshops with trained facilitators from the SU community.  These workshops are great for student organization training, team bonding, and class sessions. Facilitators are more than happy to hold a workshop during a class period instead of a faculty member canceling class. Contact wellness@seattleu.edu to book a workshop. 

These nationally certified peer health educators host various educational programs every year and are available for private individual conversations. HAWC members are able to discuss resources and options, additionally, they not required to notify the Title IX coordinator of incidents of sexual misconduct unless the student would like that. 

We take this annual opportunity to support survivors of sexual violence in our community, educate ourselves, and take an honest look at the work still to be done on campus. Previously we’ve hosted film screenings, community forums, etc. Please contact Mikaela Wallin, mwallin@seattleu.edu, if you are interested in serving on the Sexual Assault Awareness Month steering committee.