October 22, 2002 — University of Utah students, faculty, staff and the greater community can learn more about health and wellness during the U’s upcoming Wellness Week, Oct. 28 through 31.

Sponsored by the University of Utah Wellness Network, a group of 22 campus offices and student groups, Wellness Week will feature live music, health screenings, free giveaways and the 12th Annual Student Health Advisory Committee’s (SHAC) Wellness Fair on Wednesday, Oct. 30.

“Wellness Week will help participants learn about balancing emotional, mental, social, physical and spiritual wellness,” notes health educator Tricia Bishop, from the U’s Office of Health Promotion. “Organizers of Wellness Week have worked hard to incorporate all five of these areas into the activities and resources offered.”

On Monday, Oct. 28, from 12 until 12:45 p.m., a free, seated yoga class will be taught by University staff member Sheri Young, in the Olpin Union Building’s Collegiate Room, just west of the Union Ballroom. Free jazz music will be offered Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., in the Union.

Throughout Wellness Week, SHAC will host a food drive and a winter hat and gloves drive. Look for drop bins in the Student Health Service office, the Heritage Center, the Bennion Center, Union room 270, the Student Affairs Vice President’s office in the Park Building and in the College of Nursing dean’s office. All food will be donated to the Utah Food Bank. The hats and gloves will be donated to The Road Home (formerly Travelers Aid Society.)

A Gold Medal Mile walk will begin at 12 noon on Tuesday, Oct. 29, at the Tanner Plaza, located east of the Student Services Building. Participants will walk the Olympic Commemorative mile-long course through main campus. The first 50 participants to arrive will receive a free pin and chances to win prizes in a post-walk drawing.

On Tuesday, Oct. 29, and Thursday, Oct. 31, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., information about and treatment resources for depression will be available outside of the Women’s Resource Center, room 293 in the Olpin Union Building. Members of the campus community can take a brief screening questionnaire to assess whether they suffer from the symptoms of depression and/or anxiety.

On Wednesday, Oct. 30, the Student Health Advisory Committee (SHAC), the Student Health Service and Office of Health Promotion will sponsor the 12th Annual Wellness Fair, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., in the Olpin Union Ballroom. This year’s fair theme is “Count on Being Healthy.” The event will feature more than 65 campus and community groups that will provide information, interactive demonstrations and services on health, wellness and safety. Information about numerous medical conditions, including diabetes, multiple sclerosis, HIV/AIDS, heart and lung fitness, mental and emotional health and comfort and healing through animal interaction will be presented at the fair. Free health screenings, musical performances and a potpourri of freebies will also be offered. As part of the fair, Sheri Young will teach seated yoga from 12 until 12:45 p.m. in the Union West Ballroom. Vaccess Health will provide vaccinations. This is the only fee-based service at the fair. Cost for the vaccines will be $20 for influenza, $35 for tetanus and $85 for meningitis. (College students, ages 18 to 24, are considered at higher risk for meningitis). Associated Regional and University Pathologists (ARUP) will hold a blood drive in the Blood Vessel outside on the Tanner Plaza, east of the Student Services Building, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

“The Wellness Fair isn’t limited to just campus groups. There will be many outside agencies participating as well,” Bishop notes.

On Thursday, Oct. 31, another Gold Medal Mile walk will be held on the Health Sciences campus, beginning at 12 noon, on the plaza in front of the College of Pharmacy. The first 50 participants to arrive will also receive a free pin and the chance to win prizes.

Also that day, in celebration of Halloween, there will be a Haunted House in the Chapel Glen Housing area, in Fort Douglas, from 8 p.m. until 11:30 p.m. (Look for signs to the Haunted House.) A substance-free costume ball, “It’s a Dead Man’s Party,” will be held from 8:30 p.m. until 12:30 a.m. at the Fort Douglas Officer’s Club. “Mocktails,” non-alcoholic drinks, and snacks will be served and games and prizes will be part of the festivities. “These activities provide a safe opportunity to have a great time without drugs or alcohol on Halloween,” Bishop says. Admission to both Halloween events is a non-perishable food item, which will be donated to the Utah Food Bank, or a new pair of winter gloves or a new winter hat, which will be donated to The Road Home.

“Wellness is the balance in all of our lives. By participating in Wellness Week activities, it is hoped students, faculty and staff will make healthy, responsible choices that enhance their overall well-being,” Bishop says.

The University of Utah Wellness Network, sponsor of Wellness Week, is comprised of the Alcohol and Drug Education Center (ADEC), Alternative Spring Break, the Associated Students of the University of Utah (ASUU), U Athletics, the Bennion Center, Campus Police, Campus Recreation, Center for Ethnic Student Affairs (CESA), the Counseling Center, the Dean of Students, the Center for Disability Services, Eating Disorders Research Group, the Greek Council, International Center, Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) Resource Center, Office of Residential Living, Office of Orientation, Olpin Union, Student Health Service and Office of Health Promotion, Vice President of Student Affairs, University College, University Student Apartments and the Women’s Resource Center.

For more information on the University’s Wellness Week, call 801-585-1274.