Last Wednesday, the B-Healthy: Healthy Campus Initiative hosted its 15th annual Health and Wellness Fair to empower students with wellness resources on and off campus. Following last year’s theme, “Amp up your Wellness,” various organisations, local businesses, and advocacy groups gathered from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. across multiple venues, including the Mandela Room and Old Union Hall.
Attendees enjoyed a vibrant juice bar, with fresh fruits and veggies from University Dining Services, along with foods grown in the College-in-the-Woods dining hall. The event also featured live performances, engaging games, and therapeutic experiences, such as chair massages and time with therapy dogs through the PAWS programme.
As Johann Fiore-Conte, the University’s chief health and wellness officer, expressed, the fair aimed to instil an awareness of wellness’s multidimensional aspects. His wish was for students to leave with insights into improving their health.
Participants collected stamps on their “Passport to Wellness” cards throughout the fair and entered a raffle upon completion, with prizes promoting wellness. Fiore-Conte highlighted essential mental health resources for students, such as United Health Services and the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
The fair embraced B-Healthy’s nine-dimension wellness model, which now includes a digital aspect, showcasing the complexity of wellness, including emotional, physical, social, and spiritual health dimensions. Senior Nikita Almahri shared her newfound commitment to nutrition, aiming to diversify her diet for improved health.
Originating in 2006, the fair’s legacy predated the B-Healthy initiative established in 2012 by President Harvey Stenger, striving to create the healthiest campus. Although the global pandemic paused activities in 2020, the fair was revitalised in 2024 as a united campus effort, marking its 15th event.
More than 100 vendors, including student organisations like the Pre-Medical Association, contributed to the event’s success. Isabelle Beatus ‘24, from the Crime Victims Assistance Center, emphasised their mission to connect with students needing support without them having to navigate the complex resource landscape alone.
Laura Cichostepski, assistant director at Campus Recreation, advocated for awareness of their offerings, clarifying, “We’re more than a gym.” She explained that they provide diverse wellness activities for fostering emotional and social connections, alongside workshops like massage therapy and American Red Cross classes.
The B-Healthy: Healthy Campus Initiative hosted the 15th annual Health and Wellness Fair, focusing on student wellness resources. The event featured a juice bar, live performances, and activities like chair massages. With over 100 vendors, including mental health services and student organisations, it aimed to educate attendees on multifaceted wellness. The fair’s rich history began in 2006, emphasising the importance of healthy living, and it was revitalised as a collaborative effort in 2024.
The 15th annual Health and Wellness Fair orchestrated by B-Healthy brought together students and various organisations, reinforcing the importance of wellness across multiple dimensions. With engaging activities, valuable resources, and strong community presence, the event encouraged students to explore their personal health journeys. As it continues its tradition, the fair serves as a vital connection point for services aimed at enhancing students’ overall well-being.
Original Source: www.bupipedream.com
