Pace Holds Fair Focusing on Students’ Mental Health and Emotional Needs
News Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Hundreds of Pace University students crowded into the Gottesman Room at the Kessel Student Center last week to sample lavender aromatherapy, taste stir-fried organic mushrooms or sign up for on-campus gardening.
The event was the school’s inaugural Wellbeing Fair, held at all three Pace campuses to celebrate the adoption of the Okanagan Charter, an international framework for promoting wellness on college campuses globally.
“At Pace University, we are determined to give our students the tools they need to succeed in college, life and their careers,” said Pace President Marvin Krislov as he officially signed the charter. “Today, we know that mental health and wellness supports are a key part of that, and we are expanding our investment in those crucial services – for our students, our staff and our faculty. We are pleased to sign on to the Okanagan Charter and renew our commitment to being a health-promoting institution for everyone in our community.”
It was a bustling convivial atmosphere at the fair where students, faculty and staff checked out about 40 tables offering information on physical, mental and financial health. Professionals joined at some of the tables to speak to attendees on issues such as mental and emotional support, ways to manage stress and sleeplessness and to improve overall quality of life.
Stephanie Spruck, a sophomore majoring in applied psychology and human relations, offered fellow students information at the Radical Health table. Radical Health is a four-week, peer-led experience where students connect and discuss life skills.
“Each week we discuss things like stress management, self-care and emotional intelligence,” Spruck explained. “When I participated last year, I really learned how important it is to have support connections. It was all very therapeutic.”
At the Gardening for Wellness table, journalism professor Kate Fink talked to students about the interactive workshops she oversees at the garden at Pac, located behind the gym.
“Outdoor gardening is good for emotional health and mood improvement in a low-pressure environment where we focus on different aspects of home gardening,” Fink said. “No experience is necessary and all materials are provided.”
She added that the workshop discusses nutrition and food insecurity.
“Folks are invited in to pick vegetables when in season,” Fink mentioned.
The Okanagan Charter was created in June 2015 to provide institutions with a common language, principles and framework to promote health and well-being. The charter is a roadmap of how to integrate health into all aspects of campus culture for administration, operations and academics.
Josiah Jones, a junior defensive back on the Pace football team, said he was impressed with the attendance and the multiple approaches to reducing stress.
“We college students go through a lot of stress and anxiety,” said Jones. “This fair is a great opportunity to learn how to help our mental health.”
Abby is a local journalist who has reported on breaking news for more than 20 years. She currently covers community issues in The Examiner as a full-time reporter and has written for the paper since its inception in 2007. Read more from Abby’s editor-author bio here. Read Abbys’s archived work here: https://www.theexaminernews.com/author/ab-lub2019/
