SRU celebrates National Health Week

Oct. 13, 2017

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - Since 1995, the United States has designated every third full week in October as National Health Education Week.

The week, sponsored by the Society for Public Health Education, is designed to provide learning experiences that help individuals and communities improve their health by increasing their knowledge or by influencing their attitudes.

Slippery Rock University will use the week of Oct. 16-20 to promote healthy practices both on and off campus through a series of unique workshops and events. These activities not only reflect the goals of National Health Education Week but also that of the University's Student Health Center.

Students can get an early jump on staying healthy by getting a free flu shot during SRU's Oct. 17 Healthfest at the Aebersold Recreation Center. Nurses from the Student Health Center will be on hand to administer shots from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

"This is a great opportunity for students to come down and get a simple shot that will keep them healthy, but we hope students will realize this (heath services) is a complimentary service we offer around the clock," said Renee Bateman, health promotions coordinator at the SHC. "The goals of this week are really an extension of the mission we have all year."

Along with providing basic health care services to students, the SHC is also focused on opportunities for improving students' emotional wellness.

"National Health Education Week is about bringing forward whatever priorities you as a person, and we as a campus, need to focus on," said Bateman. "Now that we are in the middle of the semester, students may be feeling a bit more stressed. We want to offer them positive outlets they can use to cope with that stress or anxiety."

And while not part of National Health Education Week, the SHC will soon be launching workshops and a peer coaching program to support the emotional well-being of students.

Boost, a four-week workshop, will allow students to network with one another as they focus on positive mental health factors such as resilience, optimism, happiness, gratitude, self-care and social connections.

Meanwhile, the peer coaching program will provide an opportunity for students to interact with fellow students who may be struggling with their transition to college life or just haven't found their niche on campus yet.

"Our coaches will be able to provide students with individualized support to foster positive social connections, resiliency, connections to campus resources and coping strategies" Bateman said. "We are in the process of hiring and training these coaches now so that the program will be up and running during the spring semester."

While both programs are still being finalized, students who would like to participate in either program in the future may submit a Care report at: https://sru-advocate.symplicity.com/care_report/index.php/pid657815? or contact Bateman at renee.bateman@sru.edu.

MEDIA CONTACT: Maizee Zaccone | 724.738.2091 | mxz1016@sru.edu