Leanne Lenz is the newest community health educator for Penn State's alcohol intervention program, known as BASICS (Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students) in University Health Services (UHS). Lenz will serve as one of five community health educators who provide brief interventions for Penn State students who have an alcohol violation on- or off-campus or an alcohol-related visit to the emergency department at Mount Nittany Medical Center.
"Leanne brings with her a wealth of experience and knowledge on college student substance abuse and mental health issues," said Suzanne Zeman, UHS coordinator for educational services, who oversees the program.
Previous to joining UHS, Lenz worked with the Community Help Center (CHC) as a crisis hotline counselor and program coordinator. Earlier in her career, Lenz worked as an instructor for the CHC Youthful Offenders Program and the Pennsylvania Alcohol Highway Safety School. Lenz received her master's degree in human resources and employee relations from Penn State.
The BASICS program was designed for college students 18 to 24 years old who experience negative consequences as a result of heavy alcohol consumption. BASICS is a harm reduction program and is designed to help students reduce risky behaviors. Students who are concerned about their drinking but have not had an alcohol-related incident can self-refer to BASICS at no charge.
Health Promotion and Wellness helps students get healthy and stay healthy. For additional information or questions about BASICS or other programs offered through UHS, call 814-863-0461 or stop by room 201 in the Student Health Center on Penn State's University Park campus.