New, interactive Western Wellness provides health information online
Western's Prevention and Wellness Services has just launched Western Wellness, a new online health promotion program available to all WWU students.
A previous version of this story appeared in the Parent Connection e-newsletter
Click here to learn more about Parent Connection.
The majority of students go online to find health-related information – and they find health educators to be a credible source of health information, according to Western's National College Health Assessment results. . So Western Wellness provides a great venue, combining believability with accessibility.
Western Wellness is available 24/7, providing reliable health and wellness information when students want and need it -- which is not necessarily during normal university business hours. Students who wouldn't otherwise seek information in person may also be more inclined to turn to Western Wellness, according to staff of Prevention and Wellness Services.
Western Wellness, WesternWellness.wwu.edu, which launched in February, has nine sections:
- Maintaining positive relationships
- Managing stress and anxiety
- Nutrition and body image
- Alcohol, drugs and smoking
- Mood and self-esteem
- Coping with trauma
- Sexual health
- Cultivating a healthy lifestyle
- Controlling anger and impulsivity
Each section includes articles, self-quizzes, videos and other content. For example the Healthy Lifestyle section has articles on exercise, sleep, and motivation.
"The quiz on sleep is a favorite so far," says Catharine Vader, Western's Wellness Outreach coordinator. "Students love the immediate feedback on their sleep behaviors and habits."
Families are also able to check out Western Wellness – first-time visitors provide an e-mail address to register. In addition to the information provided in the articles, quizzes and video, Western Wellness also includes a link to "Ask Us," to ask a question to be answered by phone or e-mail by a WWU health professional. And links to WWU resources, including Prevention and Wellness Services, the Counseling Center, the Student Health Center, and even Campus Recreation, are provided throughout.
