BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University’s Health, Wellness and Safety Week provides students with opportunities to make valuable connections with health, wellness and safety resources on and off campus. The week of events, which includes the annual Health, Wellness and Safety Festival on Wednesday, Sept. 13, is hosted by App State’s Wellness and Prevention Services and Collegiate Recovery Community.

“The culture at App State is a culture of caring and support,” said Ben Asma, assistant director of wellness and prevention services. “We want to show students that we are here for them. It’s our goal to get students connected to the resources they need, any way that we can.”

The Health, Wellness and Safety Festival takes place on Sanford Mall from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Students can enjoy yard games, snacks and free swag, and representatives from the following on-campus resources will be available to talk to students about the services they provide:

• Student Health Service.
• Counseling and Psychological Services.
• University Recreation.
• Environmental Health, Safety and Emergency Management.
• Case Management.
• Off-Campus Student Services.
• App State Police Department.
• Health Promotion for Faculty and Staff.
• Office of Access and Equity: Equal Opportunity.
• Office of Sustainability.
• Campus Dining.
• University Housing.
• Information Technology Services.
• Intercultural Student Affairs.
• University Ombuds Office.

The event will also include representatives from off-campus organizations, including OASIS Inc., Daymark Recovery Services, Homestead Recovery Center, AppHealthCare and AIDS Leadership Foothills-Area Alliance.

“The festival is always a lot of fun and has a very laid back and friendly atmosphere without any pressure or expectations,” said Asma. “Students can go at their own pace, but we do encourage them to meet with all of the resource tables.”

Asma added that students who engage with any of the week's events will build positive relationships and make new connections to help them successfully navigate their journeys at App State.

"We hope they walk away knowing that there’s a lot of really good resources and a lot of really good people who care for them,” he said.

The complete Health, Wellness and Safety Week schedule is as follows:

Sep

8

Forest Bathing

Health, Wellness and Safety Week

Sep. 8, 2023

1 - 2:30 p.m.

Take a midday break and join Wellness and Prevention Services and The Collegiate Recovery Community for a short mindfulness activity. Forest bathing, also known as shinrin-yoku or forest therapy, means taking in the forest atmosphere with your senses for holistic well-being. We will meet at the trailhead at the Greenwood Parking Lot and have a leisurely walk of about a mile on a wooded trail with stops along the way.

Learn more

Sep

12

Bystander Intervention Training

Health, Wellness and Safety Week

Sep. 12, 2023

7 - 8 p.m.

Learn more about what it means to be an active bystander and how to safely intervene when you see something.

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Sep

13

Health, Wellness and Safety Festival

Health, Wellness and Safety Week

Sep. 13, 2023

10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Join us on Sanford Mall to hear from 15 different on and off-campus resources that can help you achieve your health and wellness goals and stay safe. Once you complete the resources section, grab yourself some free swag and enjoy some yard games and snacks.

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Sep

14

Overdose Prevention Training

Health, Wellness and Safety Week

Sep. 14, 2023

6 - 7 p.m.

Join us in the Belk Library Rm 114 to learn about risk factors and symptoms of overdose as well as how to use Narcan to prevent opioid overdose.

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Wellness and Prevention Services

The mission of Wellness and Prevention Services is to serve all students through the promotion of healthy behaviors, risk behavior modification services, and advocacy for campus-wide health policies which facilitate student success and holistic well-being. We offer services promoting health awareness and active lifestyles while taking a holistic approach to wellness.

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Appalachian Cares

Appalachian Cares is your source for wellness, health and safety information, resources and support for the campus community. Wellness, health and safety for all individuals is a top priority on App State’s campus. As you navigate the challenges of student life, there are many dedicated people and excellent resources to help.

Learn more

Campus Safety Awareness Month: App State spotlights AppState-ALERT

The 24/7 emergency management system provides students, faculty and staff with real-time updates during campus emergencies

Sep. 1, 2023

September is National Campus Safety Awareness Month. App State’s 24/7 emergency messaging system, AppState-ALERT, provides timely information to students, faculty and staff in the event of a campus emergency. Anyone, including the public, can monitor emergency information at appstatealert.com.

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About the Division of Student Affairs

The Division of Student Affairs at Appalachian State University is committed to the development of lifelong learners and leaders by engaging and challenging students within a culture of care and inclusion. The division consists of 16 units that offer activities and services to help students develop more fully by becoming global learners, fostering healthy relationships, appreciating diversity and different perspectives, understanding community responsibility, enhancing self-awareness, developing autonomy and living ethically. These units include the Career Development Center, Campus Activities, Office of Community-Engaged Leadership, Wellness and Prevention Services, Counseling and Psychological Services, Student Health Service, Parent and Family Services, University Housing, Student Conduct, University Recreation, Intercultural Student Affairs, Student Legal Clinic and Off-Campus Student Services, Electronic Student Services, Child Development Center, and Staff Development and Strategic Initiatives. Learn more at https://studentaffairs.appstate.edu.

About Appalachian State University

As the premier public undergraduate institution in the Southeast, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.