Category | Arts & Living

The Wellness Center reminds students to take care of health

Published on October 21, 2008 by The Sentinel

    Think you know all that the Wellness Center has to offer? Think
again! The Center for Health Promotion and Wellness, also known as the
Wellness Center, is one of KSU’s most valuable resources, but many
students remain unaware of its purpose and efforts.

    Although unaffiliated with the Health Clinic, the center’s goal is to improve the health and well being of students and employees through various programs, from nutrition counseling to peer education.

    One of the center’s important events is Alcohol Awareness Week, which will run from Oct. 20 to Oct. 23. In Fall 2007, the American College Health Association, as a part of its National Collegiate Health Assessment, conducted a survey randomly selecting 507 KSU students. They found that four out of five students at KSU don’t drive after drinking alcohol, according to Sherry Grable, director of KSU’s Center for Health Promotion and Wellness. The weeklong event will promote healthy decision making when it comes to alcohol use.

    The Wellness Center gives students good counsel on nutrition, thanks to Kelly Schriver, a registered and licensed dietitian. Shriver administers assessments of students’ current eating habits, challenges, lifestyle, medical conditions and overall nutritional needs. The cost to you is nothing, but the advantages are numerous. If you were to go to a dietitian off campus it would cost you $60 or more. On campus you will receive expert advice about losing or gaining weight, eating disorders and even get health conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes under control. Nutritional services also offers advice on how to avoid the ‘Freshman 15’ and help with vegan meal planning.

    The WAVE Peer Health Education Program was created in Fall 2006 and has already achieved numerous accomplishments.  Dacia Davis, the Coordinator for the Peer Health Education Program, is satisfied with the results and efforts of the program. There are currently 21 peer health educators, and 11 in training. Students who join become certified peer educators with national recognition and develop skills in organization presentation, communication, education and group facilitation. Peer educators are a group of trained students who promote creative and interactive wellness and health education programs for their peers. “The student body finds it so much easier to listen and speak with peers than adults about health-related issues,” says Grable.

    You don’t have to major in health and science to join the WAVE program; it’s for anyone and everyone who wants to boost their resume, gain knowledge about health related issues and, most importantly, be a positive role model for students of all ages.

    “I think that college can be overwhelming. Students become caught up in the rush of class work, jobs and social life, so they forget to take care of themselves. The Wellness Center offers many resources to enable students to create a positive and healthy lifestyle that can help manage the challenges of a hectic college life,” said Hope Hughes, a student majoring in public relations.

    For students interested in maintaining a healthy weight, the Wellness Center offers Owl Watchers, an 8-week weight management program designed to provide participants with the coaching and tools needed to keep the weight off. Participants gain support from peers in creating a sustainable change in eating habits and increasing physical activity, and they can exchange recipes and tips for success. This is for those struggling with their body image.

    Among the greatest health threats college students face is unprotected sex. The Wellness Center advises that guys wrap up, so to speak, and ladies stay strong. The Wellness Center provides condoms as a resource for students to protect themselves; the condoms, donated by the Health Clinic, are available at no cost, no questions asked—just stop in and pick them up.

    On the public safety front, the Wellness Center has received the Georgia Governor’s Office Highway Safety Grant of $18,000 for the second time.The grant is focused on reducing the number of traffic fatalities among 18 to 24-year-olds.

    These are only a few of the many options the Wellness Center offers to help students and employees achieve a healthy mind and body. The main objective within the variety of programs offered is to promote a healthy lifestyle and help reduce lifestyle risk factors.

    Students pay for these programs and should take advantage of them. The Wellness Center is housed in the WellStar College of Health and Human Services. The center’s hours of operation are Monday to Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.