Vandal Health Education is an on-campus resource that hopes to provide support and community for all Vandal students.
Late last month, Vandal Health peer educators ran a “Health Hut” on the second floor of the student union building, just outside of the Cedar Grove Room. Trivia, positive affirmations, event scheduling and information regarding “NEDA Week” (National Eating Disorder Awareness) and Vandal Health Education was highlighted at the event.
“Vandal Health Education is really built around building community. So, a lot of what we do is pretty much getting people connected with whoever they need to,” said Annie Nelsen, graduate support assistant for Vandal Health Education. “Our goal is to spread health information across campus and a lot of what we do has to do with language around topics.”
They serve as a support and guidance system for the Vandal community, spreading awareness and providing the resources required to those in need.
“If somebody doesn’t know where to go on campus, they can come to Vandal Health Education, and we can get them to where they need to be,” said Nelson.
“NEDA Week” is one of many events that Vandal Health Education promotes through health educator led, “Health Huts.” Others include “Safe is Sexy Week” (sexual health awareness), “Suicide Prevention Week,” “Mental Health Month” and more.
“Today’s tabling event is about National Eating Disorder Week, so we are doing a kind of get to know you about eating disorders,” said Katerina Jones, a sophomore, senior peer educator and wellbeing ambassador leader.
The table featured positive affirmations surrounding eating disorders, such as “I continue to challenge myself every day in my quest for recovery.”
Stickers, trivia, resources and mindfulness journals that people can utilize in their endeavors to become educated on and exercise this aspect of wellness were also handed out.
“NEDA Week” encourages different activities around campus throughout the week that focus on several aspects of wellbeing.
Feb. 26 was an eating attitudes screening, Feb. 28 was the “Health Hut” and mindfulness meditation, March 1 was a print making social and Feb. 29 featured therapy dogs at the Student Rec. Center.
Erik Platonov, apsychology major with a minor in addictions was captivated by the promotional event. Platonov has attended the therapy dogs as well, he reported.
“I was just leaving class and I was like, you know what, those are cute, I’m having a bad day, I’m gonna go pet them,” he said. “And it actually helps.”
After talking with the peer educators, Platonov is interested in becoming one himself.
Peer educators receive up to three credits for certain classes (especially movement science classes), while wellbeing ambassadors can receive credit as well.
“Peer educators are more broad. So, they’re working with all the different stress management. They’re going out and doing the workshops for different classes and stuff like that, whereas wellbeing ambassadors meet once a month to twice a month. They are doing stuff centered around the strength wheel,” said Nelsen.
“Sources of Strength” plays a crucial role in Vandal Health Education’s purpose.
“It is very scientifically based. It’s a nationwide workshop, I guess you could say, or organization” that highlights all the strengths that go into mental wellness, such as family (blood or chosen), physical activity, mental health and healthy activities (reading, spirituality etc.). “It’s not really saying that they must be strong in every single aspect at every single moment. It’s pretty much where am I strong and then where am I lacking and maybe I can help someone who’s lacking in something on the wheel that I’m pretty strong in,” said Nelsen.
Free workshops, training and certifications are also facilitated by Vandal Health Education that can teach the community about various topics, such as mental health awareness, Green Dot training (sexual awareness) and QPR (suicide awareness).
“I just like going around campus and seeing how different everybody is and how everybody does really need each other to get through the semesters. It helps a lot to have people that you know that you can lean on,” said Madalynn Lasher, a senior and peer health educator.
“My personal goal is to spread awareness to other students about health education,” said Jones. “We do exist, and we are here to help.”
Anybody who needs connections or is interested in Vandal Health Education is encouraged to visit their website. or stop in the office located to the right of the entrance of the Student Rec. Center.
Tanner Allen can be reached at [email protected]