April is Alcohol Awareness Month, a time to educate, reflect, and talk about healthy choices regarding alcohol consumption.
At PCOM Georgia, the Mental Health Task Force is committed to helping students understand the impact of alcohol use through education and hands-on learning. One interactive initiative, led by the College's Simulation Center, offers participants a firsthand look at how alcohol affects the body and mind.
During the exercise, students wear specialized alcohol impairment goggles that mimic common symptoms of intoxication, including dizziness, blurred vision, and loss of coordination. While experiencing these simulated effects, they rotate through tasks including taking blood pressure readings, navigating a driving obstacle course, and reading patient charts. The activity not only underscores the physical and cognitive challenges of intoxication but also reinforces the importance of responsible decision-making.
The Library, Counseling Center, and Simulation Center also collaborate to host activities such as serving mocktails, organizing safe holiday programming, and trivia. These initiatives raise awareness about the serious risks of impaired driving while blending education with social engagement to promote a safer, more connected campus community.
To extend this lesson beyond the classroom, experts recommend committing to an alcohol-free weekend from Friday through Monday. This challenge helps individuals assess how abstaining from alcohol impacts their physical and mental well-being.
Additional resources and support offered by the College's Mental Health Task Force for students can be found on the College's Student Mental Health, Wellness and Counseling webpage.
PCOM Georgia has been serving students and the community for 20 years as a branch campus of Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM), a private, not-for-profit, accredited institution of higher education established in 1899. Located in Suwanee (Gwinnett County), PCOM Georgia offers doctoral degrees in osteopathic medicine, pharmacy and physical therapy. Graduate degrees are offered in biomedical sciences, medical laboratory science and physician assistant studies. The campus joins PCOM South Georgia in Moultrie in helping to meet the healthcare needs of the state. Emphasizing "a whole person" approach to care, PCOM Georgia focuses on educational excellence, interprofessional education and service to the community. For more information, visit pcom.edu or call 678-225-7500. The campus is also home to the Georgia Osteopathic Care Center, an osteopathic manipulative medicine clinic, which is open to the public by appointment. For more information, visit pcomgeorgiahealth.org.
For general media inquiries, please contact the Office of Marketing and Communications at 215-871-6300 or communications@pcom.edu. Visit our media relations page to view contact information for public relations personnel.
Joy Williford
Assistant Director, News and Media Relations
Office of Marketing and Communications
Email: joyde@pcom.edu
Office: 470-572-7558
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