What is Health Promotion

Who are Peer Health Educators?

The Office of Health Promotion empowers a team of student Peer Health Educators to engage their peers in meaningful, relatable conversations about health and wellness. Through interactive workshops, campus-wide events, and peer-to-peer outreach, they provide accurate information, encourage reflection, and spark dialogue on a wide range of health topics—all in a supportive, approachable, and judgment-free environment. Peer Health Educators receive Certified Peer Educator (CPE) training and are supervised by the Lead Health Educator.

Peer Education Topics

  • Highway Safety: Drive Smart, Stay Safe: Speeding, Distracted Driving, and DUI are serious risks—especially for young adults. That’s why UWG, in partnership with the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, brings powerful highway safety education to campus. Learn how to make smart choices behind the wheel and help reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities among your peers.
  • Substance Use Awareness & Narcan Training:
    • Narcan Training: Fentanyl is real—and deadly. Join the Department of Public Health and UWG to become an Active Bystander. Learn how to recognize an overdose and how to use Narcan, a life-saving medication that reverses opioid overdoses. This training could save a life—maybe even someone you know.
    • Obstacle Course with a Twist: Students can engage with Peer Educators while learning positive and healthy behaviors using the Drunk Goggles and Activity Mat. Tabling will discuss alcohol and cannabis consumption and spread awareness of what can happen during overconsumption. The table will also discuss safety tips that can be used every day.  
  • Healthy Relationships - Know the Signs: Not all relationships are healthy—and it’s important to know the difference. Our Healthy Relationships programs help you recognize red flags, support friends in toxic situations, and connect with both on-campus and national resources. Peer Health Educators also provide tools to prevent sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.
  • Let’s Talk About It - Safer Sex: Talking about sex doesn’t have to be awkward. Our Peer Educators are here to give you real talk about STD testing, condom use, and how to protect yourself and your partners. Knowledge is power—and protection.
  • Bystander Intervention: See something off? Say something. Bystander Intervention is about recognizing harmful situations and stepping in safely. Whether it’s stopping harassment or helping someone in distress, your actions can make a difference.
  • Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention: We believe in stopping violence before it starts. Our primary prevention programs promote healthy relationships, respectful sexuality, and safe social norms. Learn how to be part of a culture that prevents dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
  • Mental Health
    • Break the Stigma, One Bead at a Time: Join Health Promotions to create a bracelet that symbolizes support, strength, and standing up for mental health. While you craft, learn how to step up as a bystander—because recognizing when someone is struggling and speaking up can save a life.  Beaded bracelets. Real conversations. Lasting impact. Let’s break the silence and Break the Stigma—together.
    • Take What You Need, Leave What You Can: Stop by to write a supportive note for a fellow student and explore the mental health resources available at UWG. Whether it’s anxiety, addiction, or depression, you’re not alone—and neither are your peers. Learn how to recognize when someone is struggling and discover how YOU can help.
  • Suicide Prevention and Awareness:
    • Mental health matters. Preventing suicide starts with awareness, resilience, and community support. Learn the warning signs, how to help a friend, and how to be part of a movement that promotes hope and healing. Everyone can help raise awareness to suicide by learning the warning signs, promoting prevention and resilience, and committing to social change. 

How to get involved and become a Peer Educator

Being a peer health educator will require attending weekly meetings, designing, organizing and participating in campus-wide awareness activities, and completing Certified Peer Educator training. 
Becoming a Peer Health Educator has many rewards, including: 

  • Gaining extensive knowledge about health and prevention on a variety of topics
  • Becoming part of an educated, fun team of students committed to providing accurate college health information
  • Developing teaching, communication, presentation, and group facilitation skills
  • Improved leadership and communication skills
  • Attending peer health education conferences
  • Meeting like-minded students with a passion for a healthier campus

Students interested in becoming a member of the Peer Health Education team can email healthed@westga.edu for more information.