New name
Wellspring becomes Student Wellness and Health Promotion
12:51 p.m., Jan. 24, 2013--Last summer, Wellspring at the University of Delaware officially became Student Wellness and Health Promotion. The new name better represents the programmatic goals and services offered by the organization.
The office is asking for the assistance of the University community to assure that its new name appears appropriately in all materials — including print, web and social media — which make reference to the former Wellspring Student Wellness Program or any of its individual services.
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“Our new name better depicts what we are trying to accomplish for the University community,” said Nancy Chase, director of Student Wellness and Health Promotion. “In fact, our name change and subsequent rebranding are the logical outcome of what is a significant shift to our overall mission.”
Student Wellness and Health Promotion completed a comprehensive programmatic review last year. The review led to major changes within the organization, including a new mission statement, guiding principals, and essential functions, according to Chase.
New mission statement
Student Wellness and Health Promotion will soon outline a five-year strategic plan based on the new mission statement, which emphasizes fostering a welcoming learning environment, cultivating a healthy and safe community where students can succeed and engaging the UD community in strategies to support healthy choices.
In addition to embarking on a new course to encourage the development of more comprehensive, community-wide health promotion efforts, Student Wellness and Health Promotion will continue to provide wellness services to individual students.
“Some of our services include assistance with drug and alcohol abuse, sexual health, sexual assault, intimate partner violence, body image and stress management,” said Chase.
Individual support sessions are available, by appointment, to all students who wish to discuss personal wellness issues.
Improving the wellness outlook for UD students will always be the prominent focus of the department’s work.
“The office will make promising strides to advocate for an improved campus environment, especially with regards to removing potential barriers to student academic success,” said Chase.
Student engagement
The office promises to engage more students themselves in the betterment of the University community. Newly developed programs have been designed to teach skills for courageous bystander intervention, and an ongoing social marketing campaign encourages every student to “use your power” to make better choices for health, wellness and safety.
Student Wellness and Health Promotion works closely with several registered student organizations that seek to help their peers maintain healthy lifestyles.
OPT4 is a registered student organization (RSO) that provides fun, alternative activities for students. OPT 4 has sponsored several “First Friday” events, such as a mixer for new students and cosmic bowling.
Red Watch Band is a relatively new RSO whose members aim to recruit current students to learn how to prevent the accidental occurrence of alcohol overdose and, if needed, administer life-saving, basic CPR.
POW! – Promoters of Wellness is a volunteer group comprised of trained student peer educators. Members learn how to assist their peers in making healthy personal choices regarding stress management, sexuality and body image.
Community involvement
Student Wellness and Health Promotion hosts a community volunteer organization, called S.O.S.—Sexual Offense Support Services, comprised of members from varying sectors of the University community. Those selected are trained as advocates and provide crises intervention services to individuals who have been victimized by sexual assault, intimate partner violence or stalking.
All are encouraged to contact Student Wellness and Health Promotion at studentwellness@udel.edu or 302-831-3457 to discuss the office’s new developments.
For more information on Student Wellness and Health Promotion’s current operations, visit the website.
Article by Kelley Bregenzer
Photo by Alexander Ambre