Fair offers wealth of health information to students

Student Health Fair brings campus and community agencies together in one place to answer the myriad of questions students have, says health promotion nurse Judi Wilson.

“So many resources are gathered here for them,” Wilson said Wednesday in the CAW Student Centre’s Ambassador Auditorium. “They can wear beer goggles to learn about the effects drinking has on their senses or they can get a relaxing massage.”

Nursing student Arica Gill staffed a booth for the HIV Care Program as part of her community placement with the agency. She encouraged visitors to roll a large die, then draw a matching question-and-answer.

“It’s something people don’t want to think about, which makes it important for us to bring the education to them,” she said.

Wilson estimated 800 patrons visited the fair, held as part of Mental Health Awareness Week.

The event concludes today with three activities:

  • A suicide prevention workshop led by Elizabeth McDermott and Rosemary Plastow of the Student Counselling Centre will provide instruction in the QPR method – question, persuade and refer. It runs 10 a.m. to noon in Vanier Hall’s Katzman Lounge. Contact the centre to register.
  • Identical twins Allison and Lauren Knight tell the story of their journey through life as inseparable sisters who have never spent more than a few hours apart at any one time. They will discuss their unique relationship and its obstacles – and sign copies of their memoir Mirror Mirror: Two Bodies, One Soul, at 2 p.m. in Vanier Hall’s Katzman Lounge.
  • Shepell fgi is sponsoring a one-hour webinar entitled Understanding Depressive Illness at 3:30 p.m., to shatter misconceptions about depression and explore treatments. Space is limited; reserve a spot at https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/937105946.

Free fitness classes offered through Campus Recreation continue through Friday. Find a full list of opportunities and register on the Campus Rec Web site.

Watch a video from the Student Health Fair: