A survey is coming this week to all faculty, staff and students, asking for their opinions on UC Davis’ Smoke and Tobacco Free policy. Plus we have news about free flu shots and the first Well-Being Ticket Deal of the year.

Also, “gatekeeper training” is being offered to faculty and staff to help them assist students with mental health concerns.

Gary S. May, chancellor, and Ralph J. Hexter, provost and executive vice chancellor, are sending the Smoke and Tobacco Free survey on Wednesday (Oct. 11). “As we approach the four-year anniversary of the policy, UC Davis continues its commitment to improving the health of the campus community by providing a safe and clean working and learning environment for students, staff, faculty and visitors,” May and Hexter say in the survey email that is being sent on behalf of the Smoke and Tobacco Free Steering Committee.

The committee welcomes views on how the policy is working. Survey results will assist the steering committee and the administration in determining if further strategies are needed to inform the purpose of the Smoke and Tobacco Free policy

FREE FLU SHOTS — The Staff and Faculty Health and Well-Being Program announced that it will hold shot clinics for the second year in a row. The program is once again partnering with Kaiser Permanente — but all faculty and staff are welcome, Kaiser member or not.

The clinics will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, Oct. 24 and 26, in the foyer of the Cowell Building (formerly the Cowell Student Health Center) on California Avenue. Up to 150 flu shots will be given each day, first-come, first-served. Please be sure to bring a form of photo ID — you must be 18 or older.

WELL-BEING TICKET DEAL FOR OCTOBER — The Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts and the Staff and Faculty Health and Well-Being Program are partnering on this deal for the second year in a row. Each month from October to May you’ll have 14 days, from the 1st to the 14th, to purchase your discounted tickets (limit two per person at $10) for shows to be held later the same month, or, in one case, early the next month.

Ticket sales began Oct. 1 and end Oct. 14 for the October Well-Being Ticket Deal, a performance by Dorrance Dance, 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 29., in Jackson Hall. Seven more offers will be announced monthly the rest of the year.

Tickets are available here, use promo code WELLNESS17.

‘GATEKEEPER TRAINING’ — Students often look upon faculty and staff as “gateways” to help — thus the name “gatekeeper training.” It is designed to help equip staff and faculty with skills and the knowledge they need to comfortably and confidently speak to students about mental health concerns and refer students to appropriate mental health resources.  

Four training sessions are planned next week as part of a study sponsored by the Behavioral Health Center of Excellence, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Student Health and Counseling Services, and the Division of Student Affairs.

Each training will last two hours, and attendees are encouraged to arrive 10 minutes before the start time:

• Tuesday, Oct. 17 — 8:50 a.m.-11 a.m.
• Tuesday, Oct. 17 — 1:50 p.m.-4 p.m.
• Thursday, Oct. 19 — 8:20 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
• Thursday, Oct. 19 — 2:50 p.m.-5 p.m.

Interested individuals and departments are invited to contact Professor Carolyn Dewa by email, or you can send an email to her research assistant, Bushra Shaikh.

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