Just in time for National Nutrition Month and Disability Awareness Month, CSI hosted its biannual Health and Wellness Fair in the 1C Rotunda, raising awareness of clubs, organizations, and resources that students can utilize to support healthy lifestyles. The event also included giveaways.
Sal Caruso, the Intramurals and Building Operations Coordinator, representing the Sports and Recreation Center at CSI, urged students to utilize the equipment in 1R, including the weight room, cardio room, and Peloton bikes, and to attend upcoming events, all health and wellness-related, of course.
“I’m collaborating with the Health and Wellness [Center] next week for different events, kind of [like] a wellness week,” Caruso said. “’Chop, Chew, and Chat’ is coming up next week in Dolphin Cove and we have Wellness Bingo next week.”
Colleges across the country have increasingly prioritized student wellness programs, as concerns about student mental health and stress continue to grow.
According to the American College Health Association, students who engage in campus wellness programs often report improved academic performance, better stress management, and stronger overall well-being.
March is Disability Awareness Month, and Bethany Lolanda, the Assistant Director of the Office of Accessibility Services, encourages students to visit the office in 1P-101 for assistance with available services.
“Our services are free; students can register at any time they might need those services. We provide testing accommodations, classroom accommodations, and assistive technology for students who might need it in the classroom,” said Lolanda. “We also make sure that activities on campus are fully accessible to students and we work within the campus community to ensure accessibility is promoted and that these services are provided across a variety of different areas.”
The fair also hosted resources outside of the campus, including The Staten Island YMCA Counseling Service, which offers alcohol and substance abuse services for adults and teens. Cindy Melera, the Program Director for Prevention Services, offered some insight into the importance of the program.
“We wanted to introduce ourselves to students and the community at large in Staten Island, because there are high substance abuse rates within Staten Island,” Melera said. “I definitely think it’s beneficial to anyone who needs it, whether it’s mental health counseling or something specific; having someone to talk to is important.”
The fair highlighted these resources to the students, but it’s also important for students to ask questions and seek out the help they need. The fair also served as a reminder to students that resources on and off campus exist to support both their physical health and academic success.
“The biggest misconception is that students come to college thinking that they don’t need these services. Maybe they got them in high school. We encourage students to sign up,” said Lolanda. “It becomes a choice in college, but if you sign up, you have something in place, and then you make the choice, whether or not you need it.”
By S. Manai
