PALentine’s - A Unique Valentine’s Day Celebration
February 17, 2023
The Peer Advocate Liaison (PAL) Program held its first Resource Fair since 2020 on Tuesday, February 14, 2023.
“The theme for this year’s Fair was “PALentine’s” signifying that we’re all here for one another,” said Scott Embley, LCSW, CEAP, Director of the LSU Health New Orleans Campus Assistance Program.The Peer Advocate Liaison (PAL) Program helps students access resources when they’re experiencing personal or academic difficulties or are in crisis. Students selected by their classmates, PALs are educated about available on- and off-campus assistance.
“Ongoing problems or crises can happen, making it difficult for some students to get connected with available resources,” Embley adds. “Knowing signs of distress and where the available resources are can assist students in getting connected with the appropriate service faster.”PAL liaisons can connect their fellow students to help for family, marital or relationship problems, adjustment to a new environment, alcohol or drug concerns, mental health issues, excessive stress, safety concerns, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) with UMC, ADA, wellness and more.
More than 100 students stopped by the booths set up in the common area on the second floor of the Nursing/Allied Health Building. Participants provided information and answered questions about resources offered at LSU Health New Orleans. They included the Campus Assistance Program, Alcohol Center of Excellence, Student Health Insurance, Campus Police, Metropolitan Center for Community Advocacy, Off-Campus Professional Counseling, Office of Disability Services, Student Health, Tobacco Control Initiative, Wellness Center, and Title IX.Each booth (resource) had candy to celebrate Valentine’s Day. The PAL table also offered fruit and cookies, and the PAL and CAP tables provided yellow CAP stress balls and badge holders emblazoned with “Self-care for Healthcare” as well.
The names of the students who visited all the booths were entered into three drawings for gift cards. MD/PhD student Taylor Fitzpatrick-Schmidt and nursing students Xiomara Jefferson and A’kira Hayes won.It was a fun way to disseminate information about serious needs and help.
Follow Us 
Leslie Capo
Office: 504-568-4806
Cell: 504-452-9166
lcapo@lsuhsc.edu