Counseling Center

Safer Sex

Safer sex means enjoying sex without engaging in behaviors that could potentially put you or your partner at risk for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), like HIV and syphilis, or sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, and genital herpes. Safer sex also means being smart and staying healthy. It means showing love, concern, and respect for your partner and for yourself. Deciding to become sexually intimate with someone is a big step, especially since for many people, having sex involves an emotional commitment as well as a physical one. People may choose varying levels of sexual intimacy, including abstinence. You should never feel pressured to engage in sexual intercourse or any other sexual activity. Your ability to develop safe sex practices in college is helped by campus resources such as the Student Health Center, the Counseling Center, and the Sexuality Program of the Wellness Center. These offices can provide education around contraceptives, STDs/STIs, pregnancy, sexual health, assertiveness and healthy decision making.

Help at SIUC
Counseling Center, Student Health Center building, Room 256, 453-5371
Student Health Center, 453-3311, Hours: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
Wellness Center, Student Health Center building, Room 120A, 536-4441

Help in the Carbondale Community
Jackson County Health Department 618-684-3143
Williamson County Health Department 618-993-8111

Links to Additional Resources

The Center for Disease Control

SmarterSex: A premier site on sexual health for college students

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