Sajila Nudrat | Health Editor
Featured Image: Students come to the Wellness Hub to learn how to properly take care of their bodies and minds. | Courtesy of YFile
York University’s Health Education and Promotions team has started a new initiative this year called The Wellness Hub. It launched on September 17, and has been created in partnership with the nursing program to further educate and provide the campus with wellness services and workshops. Aimed to become the central point of all health, the Hub is located at S107 in the Ross Building (next to the Lost and Found). It operates from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Wednesday and Friday, and on Thursday’s for an extended period of time—9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Third-year nursing student, Nick Legacy says: “Nursing students last term came up with this proposal, as well as developed a budget and what it looks like. They worked with York and got the grants to make it happen.”
When asked about what resources The Wellness Hub provides to students, Legacy mentioned a variety of areas. Starting with nutrition, they provide “healthy recipes and workshops.” Since, alcohol and drug usage on campus is prominent, the Hub “advises on harm reduction, and provides knowledge on how to take drugs in a safer way.” Regarding education on sexual health, they provide “information on consent, safe sex, and offering different hygienic items.” Lastly, they offer assistance in the area of mental health. This is done by, “providing information on how to cope with mental illness, and engaging in self care,” as well as informing students about the importance of taking care of their general health; advising them to become more active and stay physically, as well as mentally healthy. The hub also offers support for the LGBTQ community and information on various conditions, such as HIV.
When asked why he is a part of The Wellness Hub, Legacy responded: “I’m excited to provide my peers with information to help them make their own informed choices and I’m excited to share the resources York has to offer with students and community members.”
“The response has been good. Some people are still not sure as to what we do, and are surprised at the amount of resources York has to offer,” he says.
“My reaction has been very positive, students are responding well to it, I have received a lot of training and am excited to add other components such as the workshop to engage more students,” he adds.
Although it is relatively new, The Wellness Hub has the potential to grow and become the go-to spot for students to seek support, help, and/or any kind of assistance they might need when it comes to both their physical and mental health—the hub is here to help, and hopefully here to stay.
