Download Suite of Wellness resources

Suite of Wellness Resources
Introduction
Third level institutions are not only centres of academic achievement but are
also places where students develop personally and socially (Abercrombie,
Gatrell & Thomas, 1998). The provision of easily accessible, up-to-date,
accurate and relevant information about health issues and available services
is crucial to better support and empower students, and to foster a healthpromoting environment on campus. This proposal is seeking funding for a
range of health and wellness resources to better support students and to
augment the existing services available to students.
Rationale
The current Student Services strategic plan commits to the holistic
development of students and, improved student supports. Supporting and
encouraging good health (physical, mental, social, spiritual) is an important
aspect of supporting students so that they can achieve academically and
develop personally while at NUIG.
The NUIG Mental Health Strategy (Student Services Committee, 2008) points
to the strong link between lifestyle and mental health. It states that, “Efforts to
encourage healthy eating, increase physical activity and reduce alcohol
consumption can make a significant contribution to improving emotional wellbeing and cognitive function.” It also points to the strong links between mental
health, well-being, student retention and academic success.
Internet-based supports
A recent Health Research Board survey found that 83.9% of the respondents
who were in training or higher education were willing to use the internet as a
source of information on health (Gallagher et al., 2008). The survey report
recommended the development of more health-specific websites for young
people to promote positive health in general, but particularly to promote
positive mental health and mental health awareness.
Focus groups conducted with students from NUI Galway, UCC and TCD as
part of an HSE-funded study, (Doyle & Sixsmith, 2008), found that students
are currently using the internet as their primary source of health information,
specifically the Google search engine. However the students also expressed a
sense of mistrust with this, as they felt some sites contained unreliable or
even dangerous information. This led them to respond positively to the
development of a health information resource by credible and reliable
organisations such as the HSE and/or the universities. They identified that any
such resource should be professionally presented, displayed in a concise
manner and consist of many interactive features. It should also ensure
anonymity to students.
Doyle & Sixsmith (2008) found that despite the thousands of health and well
being websites available, there is a distinct lack of websites directed at the 18
– 25 age group.
It is proposed to develop the NUIG Student Services health promotion website
in response to the identified needs of our students. This will require
professionally developed materials as well as the purchase of licenses for
currently available wellbeing programmes.
Physical resources - Wellness Centre
While an on-line ‘one stop shop’ can offer a great deal to students, a physical
location where students can access resources, information and professional
guidance is also needed.
When the re-development of Áras na Mac Léinn is completed, the room at the
back of the Hub (currently Riona Hughes’ office) will become available. It is
proposed to develop this room as a wellness resource centre, or ‘one stop
shop’ where printed information and other resources can be accessed on a
drop-in basis and someone will be there to provide guidance and assistance.
Students can browse the materials, photocopy relevant pages from the books,
use online programmes, or print out information. Staffing can be provided by
the Health Promotion Officer, as well as by MA Health Promotion students on
work placement with the Health Promotion Service.
The room can also be used as a venue for smoking cessation groups,
workshops as part of the Mind, Body & Soul Programme, WILL U volunteer
training, and other health promotion activities. It would also be a comfortable
place to unwind and relax.
CCBT Screening and Monitoring
A ‘Wellness Centre’ would also provide a venue to facilitate the use of
‘Beating the Blues’, a Computerised Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CCBT)
programme for students with mild depression or anxiety. The NUIG Mental
Health Strategy recommended the use of this programme (another CCBT
programme for anxiety, ‘Fear Fighter’, was also recommended, but has not
yet been purchased). Subsequently, a license for the programme was
purchased and it has been in operation on a trial basis through the
Counselling and Student Health Units. Students using the programme require
initial screening and assessment to ensure that it is suitable for them, as well
as ongoing monitoring.
Reviewing its use by students to date, it was recognised that this screening
and monitoring may be better situated in a neutral setting such as a wellness
resource centre, as part of a holistic array of services and information for
students. Also, attending the Counselling Service or the Health Unit requires
an appointment, whereas a wellness centre could be accessed on a drop-in
basis, which would better meet students’ needs.
References
Student Services Committee (2008) A Mental Health Strategy for the Students
of NUI Galway.
Abercrombie, N., Gatrell, T., and Thomas, C. (1998) Universities and health in
the twenty-first century. In: Tsouros et al., eds. Health Promoting Universities:
Concept, experience and framework for action. Copenhagen: WHO Regional
Office for Europe, 33-39.
Doyle, P. & Sixsmith, J. (2008) Exploring the Feasibility of Developing Internet
Based Health Promotion Materials for Third Level Students, Health Promotion
Research Centre, National University of Ireland, Galway.
Gallagher S, Tedstone Doherty D, Moran R and Kartalova-O’Doherty Y
(2008) Internet use and seeking health information online in Ireland:
Demographic characteristics and mental health characteristics of users and
non users. HRB Research Series 4. Dublin: Health Research Board.
Skinner, H., Maley, O. & Norman, C. (2006) Developing internet-based
eHealth promotion programs: the spiral technology action research (STAR)
model Health Promotion Practice; 7; 406.