Kennesaw State’s Department of Health Promotion and Wellness held a Health Resource Fair on Thursday, Oct. 18, at the Marietta campus.
Numerous programs participated to help educate students about healthy lifestyles and the resources they can use to maintain them. Students had the opportunity to assess their overall health and fitness through blood pressure screenings, blood tests, vision checks, nutrition evaluations and more.
The Department of Health Promotion and Wellness used the fair as an opportunity to promote their many student services such as their on-campus dietitians.
“We provide one-on-one counseling with students,” dietitian Barbara Oldham said. “We have cooking demonstrations where we cook some fun recipes to try and increase student’s self-efficacy and basically just their confidence in the kitchen. We also do nutrition workshops periodically each month — there is one for sports, body image, healthy eating and intuitive eating.”
Students were also given blood alcohol concentration chart cards along with phone numbers to multiple local taxi services and non-profit driving services to help increase their awareness of safe alcohol use.
The Department of Health Promotion and Wellness also offers counseling, tobacco cessation, safe sex supplies, monthly on-campus HIV and Hepatitis C testing and American Red Cross First Aid, CPR and AED certification.
Free flu shots were supplied at the fair by WellStar Student Health Services. Students can still receive a flu shot as well as physicals, STD testing, pregnancy tests, birth control and more by actual nurse practitioners at any of the on-campus clinics.
“It is flu season and the more people that we can hopefully get vaccinated, the less transmission of the flu this year. It can be a deadly disease and can affect anyone,” nursing student Becca Miller said.
KSU’s Department of Sports and Recreation also presented students with information about their multiple services and activities, along with the upcoming Turkey Trot 5K and Iron Owl powerlifting competition, which students can sign up for online.
“We have group yoga, Zumba and boot camps, which are strength and conditioning-style classes,” said Kevin Burnham, a personal trainer from the sports and recreation department. “We do personal training where you can get one-on-one, more personalized, training to help people reach their goals. We also offer outdoor adventures which allow people to go on trips like camping, kayaking, white water rafting and other things that can be more fun than being in the gym.”
Many off-campus organizations also promoted their resources accessible to students such as the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
The foundation offers mental health help for students and teaches them how they can help others that may be dealing with issues with mental health. In March, the foundation will hold its Out of Darkness campus walk for KSU where students can contribute to raising awareness and money for research. More information can be found on its website.
My Eye Dr.‘s Woodstock office also provided information to students at the fair. General Manager Anti Guimaraes recommended that students get an eye exam at least once per year even if they are not experiencing any problems or symptoms to avoid any hidden problems. Guimaraes also said that students can receive a discount at the company’s Woodstock office.
WestCare Georgia administered free HIV and Hepatitis C testing during the fair. According to their website, they provide a variety of free programs including substance use disorder treatment services and support services for women that include therapy, job readiness, education assistance and housing support.
Additional information about local and on-campus health resources can be found by contacting the Department of Health Promotion and Wellness at KSU.
