LionsCare can help you stay on track with health goals

If you drink alcohol and want free, confidential support to reduce alcohol-related consequences LionsCare is here for you. LionsCare is a free, confidential text messaging service shown to be effective in reducing harmful consequences associated with alcohol use. LionsCare is an easy to use tool that can help you track your drinking over time and set goals to keep your risk of alcohol-related problems low. You may already use your phone to track physical activity and nutrition habits, so why not use it to help you stay on track with your drinking.

Signing up for the service is easy. Text the word HEALTH to 412-906-4450.

After subscribing to LionsCare, you will receive 12-weeks of personalized text messages. You will only receive messages twice a week, so it’s not intrusive. You will be contacted on Thursday to help you set goals for the weekend. On Sunday, you will receive another message to see how the weekend went. The messages are designed to provide information about drinking norms, and potential injuries associated with heavy drinking episodes, blacking out, and hangovers. You will receive messages reinforcing behaviors that reduce the harms associated with dangerous drinking. You will also be given strategies to help handle the social pressure that can accompany drinking in college.

University Health Services is sponsoring the free service. Because it is a confidential program, Penn State will never have access to your name or cell phone number. Staff will only have access to de-identified, aggregate data.

To learn more about LionsCare, please visit http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/health/wellness/LionsCare.shtml