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Wellness and Stress

Management

STAYING HEALTHY IN MIND AND BODY

What Would You Risk? Kelly Addington and Becca Tieder

THINK ABOUT THIS SITUATION AS YOU READ, AND CONSIDER WHAT ACTION YOU WOULD TAKE.
THIS CHAPTER EXAMINES WAYS TO MANAGE STRESS THROUGH HEALTH MAINTENANCE, HANDLE
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, AND MAKE EFFECTIVE DECISIONS ABOUT SUBSTANCES AND SEX.

Kelly and Becca were typical students and close friends. rape drug into her drink, then sexually
They studied hard and enjoyed the nonacademic side of assaulted her. She called the friend,
the college experience. One Saturday night, they were who claimed that Kelly was “begging”
socializing and drinking moderately at a local beach bar. for sex that night. “I had a lot of trust
Kelly accepted a ride home from a designated driver, a issues from that,” Kelly says, “because
male friend with whom she felt secure. this is someone I cared about and some-
The next morning, Kelly felt ill with what she thought one I thought I could trust.”
was simply a hangover. She couldn’t remember what had Kelly later suffered a miscarriage. Physically, she would
happened the previous night. But the headaches persisted, recover. Mentally, however, she was shaken and vulnera-
and she had nightmares and visions of someone on top of ble. Did she do something to deserve this? What would
her and of feeling suffocated. She took a pregnancy test her parents think? What would she need to risk to be able
and it was positive, even though she had not had sexual to have healthy self-esteem or a positive sexual relation-
intercourse in a year. After confiding in Becca, Kelly took ship? “Within six months to a year after being sexually
another pregnancy test to be sure. It, too, was positive. assaulted,” Kelly says, “the only thing I was trying to do
Becca and Kelly put the pieces together: Kelly was a was forget what happened.”
victim of date rape. Her male friend had slipped a date To be continued . . .

KELLY AND BECCA’S
DETERMINATION
HAS LED THEM TO
DISCOVER PERSONAL
EMPOWERMENT AND
DELIVER A POWERFUL
MESSAGE TO THE COL-
LEGE POPULATION. Working through this chapter will help you to:
YOU’LL LEARN MORE
ABOUT KELLY AND • Recognize and analyze causes of stress P. 246
BECCA, AND THE • Identify your stressors and stress levels P. 256
REWARDS RESULTING
FROM THEIR ACTIONS, • Explore stress management strategies P. 247
WITHIN THE CHAPTER. • Manage and maintain physical and mental health P. 250
• Identify and manage emotional disorders P. 253
• Make effective decisions about substances P. 257
• Make effective decisions about sex P. 262
• Avoid sexual assault P. 266