In the fourth week of the fall semester, students are already juggling a seemingly endless stream of responsibilities — classes, extracurriculars, jobs and other activities. Amid the bustle on Grounds, Student Health and Wellness invited University community members to take a break Friday at the inaugural WahooWellness Fest, encouraging attendees to take advantage of on-Grounds health resources and prioritize all aspects of their well-being.
Part of the University’s Wahoo Welcome — a six-week schedule of events supporting new and returning students as they acclimate to the semester — the WahooWellness Fest debuted with a range of activities and special guests. Students arrived on the patio of the Student Health and Wellness building to meet Cav Man and April Sweetie, a golden retriever and therapy dog for U.Va. Health. Students also had the opportunity to participate in yard games, enjoy free food and spend time with animals in a petting zoo.
With resources promoting mental, emotional and physical health, the WahooWellness Fest offered a comprehensive view on students’ well-being. Meredith Hayden, chief medical officer at SHW, said SHW is currently working to fill gaps in health services, particularly those related to mental health.
“Mental health is huge right now among college students. It's a top priority, and we want to try to be coming at it from the full spectrum,” Hayden said. “We're trying to focus more on … what we can do to help students … keep their stress levels down and maintain their resilience.”
The WahooWellness Fest also aimed to boost student health by bringing together students for outdoor activities, according to Skye Darnell, program manager at SHW. As part of Campus Rx — a national network that encourages colleges and universities to leverage green space to nurture mental and physical well-being — SHW routinely works with U.Va. Recreation to provide outdoor activities known as Nature Prescriptions. In the same spirit, Friday’s event encouraged students to practice wellness by spending time in nature.
“We [saw] an opportunity to get students together to spend time outside, celebrate the beginning of the school year, and also make sure that they're aware of what resources we have at Student Health and Wellness,” Darnell said.
Mary-Gayden Morrill, case manager for Care and Support Services, also emphasized the importance of providing holistic care to students. She said as a part of SHW, CASS meets specialized and basic needs of students, from offering non-clinical case management to food pantries.
“We try to promote giving care to yourself,” Morrill said. “Academic, emotional, personal and mental health — all the areas of wellness.”
The event also hosted several student-led groups and programs whose missions center on student health. Students from the Eating Disorders and Exercise Concerns Coalition, Peer Health Educators and the Gordie Center — a non-profit organization dedicated to ending hazing and substance misuse in high school and college communities — tabled at the event, offering snacks, flyers and activities.
Arya Mack-Gilson, member of the Collegiate Recovery Program and Class of 2024 alumni, said they have seen how SHW can provide life-saving resources for students. As a program under SHW, CRP offers help for students dealing with Substance Use Disorder or addiction. Their range of support services includes weekly meetings, a lounge, substance-free recovery housing and other events that focus on students’ recovery. Mack-Gilson commended SHW for connecting students with these resources.
“I've seen people again and again who are struggling, who are miserable, who are on the verge of dropping out, failing out, you name it. And [when] they come to the CRP, they fall into the community. They get connected to resources within the University and outside the University, and they start recovering,” Mack-Gilson said. “They start getting happy.”
Third-year Engineering student Azaria Bolton reached out to CRP last spring when struggling with addiction. She said CRP provided her with invaluable support and community during a vulnerable time in her life.
“Now I am back, happy, thriving, going to class, doing all the things that I thought that I couldn't do anymore and it wouldn't be possible without the Collegiate Recovery Program connecting me to all the different resources that I now have in my toolbox,” Bolton said.
Many students felt supported at the WahooWellness Fest in other ways. Second-year College student Alina Bao said she saw how even small surprises and acts of kindness made in passing could profoundly impact students’ emotional health. She said simply spending time with April Sweetie and seeing students engaging in Friday’s activities boosted her mood.
“There are so many programs here that … will definitely help you, but small things like that can … change our whole day,” Bao said.
The WahooWellness Fest served as a lively reminder that help is available at the University for any student who seeks it. Second-year College student Kattalin Bennett said that for many students, just knowing that they can access health resources at any time makes a huge difference when adjusting to college life.
“Going to college is a really huge transition for a lot of people,” Bennett said. “Having to have classes and balance your social life, clubs and everything at once can be really overwhelming … People knowing that they have options to help themselves is really important.”
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