On April 15, the Shippensburg University Office of Human Resources and Counseling Center partnered to host the 20th annual Wellness Fair in the CUB MPR and featured wellness demonstrations, health screenings and more.

The event is hosted each year to raise awareness for students to help them understand the importance of health and wellness. This was showcased through the eight dimensions of wellness along with other education and outreach opportunities. 

The event featured over 40 exhibitors from both on- and off-campus organizations to cover the eight dimensions of wellness. Many featured demonstrations on their services and gave away free samples to students in attendance.

The eight dimensions of wellness the event covered are emotional, physical, social, intellectual, occupational, environmental, financial and spiritual wellness.

The event also featured immunizations provided by Weis Market Pharmacy and providers giving massages and reiki treatments. UPMC was in attendance as well, providing hernia and skin screenings, along with blood pressure monitoring.

“This is really something that goes beyond the university,” Veena Palmeri of the SU Counseling Center said. “This allows more people to be able to practice things more in their everyday life that they can take with them even when they’re no longer here at Ship.”

Palmeri is a psychologist for the SU Counseling Center and provides support services to students. She and fellow Counseling Center psychologist Linda Chalk brought up a variety of things many students overlook in their own health that they are trying to bring awareness to.

Chalk said many students overlook the amount of sleep they get each night.

“A lot of times students will try to make up for lost sleep at night by napping during the day or sleeping extra on weekends,” Chalk said.

Chalk said the healthiest approach is for students to go to bed around the same time each night and get up around the same time. She understands it is difficult for some, but many do not understand how negatively not sleeping enough affects mental and physical health.

That is why the Wellness Fair is so important to the campus community and to bring awareness to issues impacting students the most.

Outside of the Wellness Fair, students can find resources within the Wellness Center on campus. Palmeri also noted that every office within student affairs provides some dimension of wellness benefit from the eight dimensions.

Palmeri said places like the ShipRec, the SU’s recreation center, can help students to fulfill their physical health; the career center helps students to improve their occupational wellness; and the spiritual center helps students with their spiritual health.

For more wellness resources, please visit the links below.

SU Wellness Resource Center: https://www.ship.edu/student-support/mental-health/raider-wellness-resource-center/ 

SU Counseling Center: https://www.ship.edu/student-support/mental-health/counseling-center/ 

Student Health Services: https://www.ship.edu/student-support/physical-health/health-center/ 

Spiritual Health: https://www.ship.edu/student-support/spiritual-health/ 

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