Vandal Health Education is an on-campus resource designed to provide support and community to all Vandal students.
Late last month, fellow educators at Vandal Health operated a “health hut” on the second floor of the student union, just outside the Cedar Grove Room. The event highlighted trivia, positive affirmations, a schedule of events, and information about “NEDA Week” (National Eating Disorder Awareness) and Vandal Health Education.
“Vandal Health Education is really built around building community. So a lot of what we do is connecting people with the people they need,” said Vandal Health Education Graduate Support said assistant Annie Nelsen. “Our goal is to disseminate health information across campus, and much of the work we do involves language around the topic.”
They serve as a support and guidance system for the Vandal community, spreading awareness and providing necessary resources to those in need.
“If someone doesn’t know where to go on campus, come to Vandal Health Education and we can get them where they need to go,” Nelson said.
“NEDA Week” is one of the many events Vandal Health Education promotes through its Health Educator-led “Health Hut.” Other examples include “Safe is sexy Week'' (sexual health awareness), “Suicide Prevention Week'' and “Mental Health Month.''
“Today's table event is about National Eating Disorders Week, so we're kind of educating everyone about eating disorders,” said Katerina Jones, sophomore, senior peer educator and wellbeing ambassador leader. Told.
The table contained positive statements about eating disorders, such as, “I continue to try every day to recover.''
Stickers, trivia, resources and a mindfulness journal were also distributed for people to use to learn about and practice this aspect of health.
“NEDA Week” encourages various activities around campus throughout the week that focus on different aspects of health.
Eating attitude screening on February 26th, “Health Hut” and mindfulness meditation on February 28th, and March 1st is a social media platform that produces printed materials, and therapy dogs were featured at the February 29th student rec. center.
Eric Platonoff, a non-psychology major with a minor in drug addiction, was fascinated by the promotional event. He reported that Mr. Platonov also participated in therapy dogs.
“I just finished class and I thought, “These kids are so cute, I'm having a bad day today, so I'm going to go pet them,'' he said. “And it actually helps.”
After talking with his fellow educators, Platonov is interested in becoming an educator himself.
Peer Educators can earn up to 3 credits for certain classes (particularly Movement Science classes), and Wellbeing Ambassadors can earn credits as well.
“My fellow educators are much broader. So they work on a variety of stress management. They go out and do different classes and other workshops, whereas the Wellbeing Ambassadors do once a month to We get together twice. They work around the strength wheel,” Nelsen said.
“Sources of Strength” plays an important role in the purpose of Vandal Health Education.
“It's very science-based. It's a national workshop, or you could say an organization, about family (bloodline or chosen), physical activity, mental health, healthy activity. It focuses on all the forces that lead to mental wellness, such as (reading, spirituality, etc.). “I'm not saying you have to be strong in every way at every moment. , and what are you missing? Maybe I can help someone who is missing something that I'm pretty good at,” Nelsen said.
Free workshops, training, and certifications are also facilitated by Vandal Health Education, which teaches the community about a variety of topics, including mental health awareness, Green Dot training (sexual awareness), and QPR (suicide awareness). can.
“I love walking around campus and seeing how different everyone is and how everyone really needs each other to get through the semester. It’s so helpful to have someone you know that you can lean on,” says the senior. said health educator and colleague Madalyn Lasher.
“My personal goal is to spread awareness about health education to other students,” Jones said. “We do exist and we are here to help.”
If you want to connect or are interested in Vandal Health Education, please visit our website. Alternatively, stop by our office located to the right of the Student Rec entrance. center.
Tanner Allen can be contacted at: [email protected]
