The California State University, Stanislaus community came together to “get well” last week at the Wellness Resource Fair.
The fair was a collaboration between the Peer Health Education Program and the Health Center on campus.
Many of the event organizers are Peer Health Educators who deal with the general health and wellness aspect of the program.
Senior Psychology major and Peer Health Educator Joshua Palmer called the event a success because of the high attendance. He mentioned that the presentations later in the day were packed with interested attendees.
Participating vendors occupied tables offering various wellness-related services. Among these were yoga venues, local gyms, holistic healing apothecaries, art programs and many others.
The yoga instructor was especially popular among students. Freshman Shannon Miller learned some yoga poses on the spot from the Yoga Health Institute.
“I liked it because the guy actually showed me what to do,” Miller said.
Junior Eric McKee also enjoyed talking with the yoga instructor about a club that he wants to start on campus promoting mental wellness and positivity.
“It was a good opportunity to get in touch with people,” McKee said. “The messages they are promoting are messages that I want to promote to my organization.”
“It was really great to see that message is present in this area because it’s not really something that I’ve seen [around here]. I thought it was nonexistent, but it was really refreshing to see that.”
Over 250 faculty members, staff, students and community members attended the event to learn about different approaches to mental and physical wellness. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., vendors lined the Event Center to share knowledge about how to improve personal wellness.
Afterwards, a variety of workshops took place, including a Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) and Stigma Reduction workshop.
The Wellness Resource Fair also featured some artistic elements. Two musical groups performed during the fair, switching off between ukulele strumming and bongo drumming.
In addition, the aesthetic aspect of living well was parked right outside the event center. A parked van contained several paintings done by patients in an emotional recovery program. The program helps those in need to express their emotional journey through artwork.
The many venues of emotional and physical wellness addressed at the Wellness Resource Fair provided the community with several opportunities to improve their personal wellness.
Opportunities to achieve personal wellness are available right here on campus.
Various types of services are available year-round from the Health Center through various programs. Several clinical services are available from the health center as well, such as general women’s and men’s health, immunizations, HIV testing and flu shots.
Students interested in volunteering as a Peer Health Educator can contact Health Educator Megan Rowe at 209-664-6551 or visit the Health Center.