This week marks the
launch of a campus-wide health initiative called Elevate. From Sept. 30 through
Oct. 4, there will be events aimed at teaching students the key elements of health
and wellness, along with providing them opportunities for prizes and free food.
The initiative’s mission is
“To create a healthy campus culture and environment
at Sam Houston State University through collaboration with campus and community
partners on programs, services, and initiatives that address all dimensions of
wellness.”
The
information used to determine the focuses of the initiative came straight from
student, faculty and staff results on the National College Health Assessment
survey, according to Associate Director of the Office of Health Promotion Megan
Richardson.
In the
survey, the two issues that presented themselves at the top of the list of
health concerns at SHSU were stress and anxiety.
“I always
feel like it is hard to know what you need to plan if you don’t know what the
issues are,” Richardson said. “When we have the numbers, we can justify what
our initiatives are.”
Richardson is hopeful that this
event reaches every type of person on campus.
“We’re
really hoping that this initiative doesn’t just target the students, we want to
include the faculty and staff in it as well,” Richardson said.
Elevate is supported by
several departments on campus including the Office of the President, the
Department of State Health Services and the Division of Student Affairs.
The first
event scheduled is a Rec Recess. For More information about Elevate week visit www.shsu.edu/elevate.