Community Health Collaborative

The Community Health Collaborative is a constantly evolving program whose mission is to develop, implement, and support initiatives that promote the health and growth of individual students and the community as a whole. These efforts take many forms, including providing support services; educational programming; information; resources and referrals related to sexual health; alternative healing; eating issues; stress; sexual assault; relationship violence; and drug, alcohol, and tobacco use. We invite students to come to discuss any issues related to individual or community health, and always welcome feedback and ideas for new programs.

Contact Us
The Community Health Collaborative is located in Enfield above the Women's Center. You may also contact the director of Community Health and Wellness, Jessica Gifford, at x5743 or by e-mailing: jgifford@hampshire.edu

For the most up-to-date information, click here.

Hours
Monday to Friday 12:00 noon-8:00 p.m. (We are often open from 9 a.m.-12:00 noon as well, so stop by, or call in advance to make sure at x5743)

The Chair Massage Program
Yes, it’s really true … you can get a FREE chair massage!!! This service is provided by student volunteers who have been trained in basic chair massage techniques. Chair massage is an excellent way to relax, de-stress, and pamper yourself. There are regular drop-in hours Monday through Friday afternoon/evening at the Community Health Collaborative. Training sessions are offered every fall to students interested in becoming volunteers. Drop-in Hours Monday-Friday 3:00-8:00 p.m.

Club Tub
We have two clean, private bathtubs, complete with bubbles, available to students suffering from tub withdrawal. Drop in, or call ahead to schedule, and don’t forget to BYOT (towel).

The Light Box
Community Health houses a light box available for use by students who experience mood and energy changes associated with the reduced daylight hours of fall and winter. Recommended use is about 30 minutes per day.

Safer Sex Supplies
Community health distributes safer sex supplies (condoms, dental dams, gloves, and lube) to the house offices on a monthly basis, or you can stop in at community health to pick up your own supplies. We also have lots of information on safer sex, contraceptive options, STIs, and sexual health.

Lending Library
Community health has a growing library of books on a range of health-related topics, including: body image and eating disorders; sexual health; depression and suicidal thoughts; sexual and relationship violence; and alternative health modalities. You may come in to browse or borrow, and we welcome suggestions for additions to the library.

Peer Meditation
Join your peers for daily meditation in the Kiva (3rd floor of the library) at 4:30. Beginners are welcome and may, if they like, recieve instruction from their peers holding the space. Those with an established sitting practice are also welcome to join others but keep to their own particular practice. The meditation "leaders" are trained by Ryumon Sensei during training sessions that occur monthly as well as weekly sitting sessions.

Counselor Advocates
The counselor advocates are a group of student volunteers who offer confidential peer support and advocacy through a 24/7 hotline. You can reach a CA by calling the confidential CA answering service at x6998, and asking to have a CA paged. The CAs go through an intensive 80+ hour training on peer counseling skills, issues of sexual and relationship violence, and other issues that may be relevant to Hampshire students. CAs are excellent listeners, and are very knowledgeable about community resources. You can call and talk to a CA privately about anything that’s on your mind, whether it’s an assault, academic problems, loneliness, relationship issues, etc.

Students interested in becoming a CA can apply during the fall semester for a two week training over Jan-term. The CAs hold informational sessions in early October, then review applications and interview candidates. If you have questions about becoming a CA, you may contact Jessica Gifford at x5743 or jgifford@hampshire.edu

Counselor Advocates: x6998 On-call 24/7 (413.559.6998 from an off-campus phone)

Sexual Assault Services
Hampshire College is committed to creating a violence-free campus, developing and implementing prevention strategies, and providing victim/survivors with support, services, and information.

There are a number of resources available to victim/survivors of sexual assault or relationship violence. There are also a wide range of options for taking action or seeking resolution, from legal recourse to a campus "no contact agreement." In the aftermath of an assault it can be confusing to know where to turn and what steps to take. The student Counselor Advocates and the Sexual Offense Services (SOS) Coordinator are confidential resources, and are specifically trained to work with victim/survivors of sexual assault. They are able to explain the resources and options available to you, answer any questions you may have, and provide emotional support. The Hampshire Sexual Offense Policy also contains definitions of what consitutes a sexual offense, what recourse you have, and what services are available to you.

There is a Hampshire listserv for survivors of sexual violence, to provide a forum for peer support and an exchange of information about events and resources that may be of interest to survivors.

Drug and Alcohol Services
Community Health is a confidential resource for students:


 * To get information on the effects of specific drugs, alcohol or smoking
 * To talk with a professional or complete a self-assessment if you have questions or concerns about your own use. You may also check out http://www.alcoholscreening.org/
 * To get information about on and off-campus support groups, meetings and other resources
 * To get help starting your own support group or meeting
 * To have a conversation with someone about your thoughts about drug and alcohol use on campus
 * To get connected to students, faculty and staff in recovery for support

The Recovery Network The Recovery Network is made up of students, faculty and staff who have self-identified as being in recovery from problems with drugs or alcohol, and have volunteered to make themselves available to students in need of support in their own process of recovery. Call x5743 for more information, to volunteer, or to get in touch with a member.

Drug and Alcohol Task Force If you have strong opinions and feelings about drug and alcohol issues on the Hampshire campus, call x5743 to get involved in the Task Force or other initiatives. All perspectives are welcome.

Smoking Cessation
'If you're thinking of trying to quit or cut back on cigarettes, drop by Community Health for a quit smoking pack, an herbal tincture to help with cravings, and information and support. We also offer financial support for students who want to use over the counter quitting aids. Just bring in a receipt and we'll reimburse you for 50% of your purchase.'

Tips to Help You Quit or Reduce the Amount You Smoke (The same steps can be used to cut back on your smoking.)


 * Set a quit date and make a commitment to quit.
 * Identify your motivations for quitting and frequently remind yourself of them (leave yourself notes, etc).
 * Get support from others … maybe a quitting buddy?
 * Avoid being around people who are smoking, or ask them not to smoke around you.
 * Know what situations trigger cravings, and actively plan how to avoid or deal with these situations.
 * Give yourself rewards for not smoking.
 * Take care of yourself: sleep, eat well, exercise.

Physiological Effects of Quitting Smoking http://www.tobacco-facts.info/tobacco_withdrawal.htm


 * Within 20 minutes, the heart rate slows.
 * Within 12 hours, carbon monoxide in blood returns to normal level.
 * Within 2 weeks to 3 months, lung functions improve and risk of heart attacks declines.
 * Within 1 to 9 months, coughing and shortness of breath are reduced.
 * Within 1 year, the risk of a heart attack is half that of a smoker's.
 * Within 5-15 years, the risk of stroke is the same as a non-smoker.
 * Within 10 years, the risk of lung cancer is half that of a smoker's.
 * Within 15 years, the risk of a heart attack equals a non-smoker's.

Quitting Aids: Over the counter


 * Toothpicks or chewing sticks, such as Thursday Plantation Tea Tree Australian chewing sticks.
 * Nicotine Patches or Nicotine Gum (boost nicotine levels to help control cravings).
 * Mint Snuff (herbal chew, tobacco substitute).
 * Herbal Cigarettes (contain herbs to help control cravings).
 * Herbal Tinctures

Quitting Aids: Prescription


 * Nicotine inhalers (work like gum, to control cravings)
 * Zyban/Wellbutrin (prescription medication that reduces cravings: Health Services can discuss these options with you)

Web Support and Information


 * www.nicotine-anonymous.org
 * www.lungusa.org
 * www.quitnet.com
 * trytostop.org
 * http://www.tobacco-facts.com/