The 10th annual Healthy Knights Expo, will be held on Wednesday, October 5 in the Student Union Pegasus Ballroom between 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
The expo, a Healthy Knights 2020 initiative, is a collaboration between Counseling and Psychological Services, Student Health Services, Wellness and Health Promotion Services, Recreation and Wellness Center, UCF Cares and several other Division of Student Development and Enrollment Services’ departments. Community partners include the National Association of Mental Illness of Greater Orlando and American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
The week of October 2-8 is also Mental Illness Awareness Week. Join the campaign to turn stigma into hope, and promote acceptance and actively challenge social stereotypes. Students will have an opportunity at the Counseling and Psychological Services’ table to take a pledge to:
- Learn about mental health issues
- See the person not the illness
- Take action on mental health issues.
Anyone can go online to review the commitment and take the pledge to raise awareness: https://www.nami.org/stigmafree.
The Healthy Knights Expo will offer health and wellness information and provide free flu shots to students courtesy of Student Health Services.
CAPS will offer opportunities for the students to learn about mental health issues as well as increase awareness around emotional literacy. Students can talk with clinicians about services and programs offered through the center.
Smoke Free UCF will be on site to educate students about the smoke-free policy on campus, the risks of secondhand smoke and resources available for those ready to quit.
Wellness and Health Promotion Services will provide information about HIV testing and sexual health related resources as well as promote the FreshU campaign for growing your own healthy foods.
The Recreation and Wellness Center will share its exciting programs and conduct several demonstrations of fitness classes which are offered at the center.
Knightro will make an appearance, get his flu shot, join an exercise demo with the RWC instructors and have a great time taking photos with students.
Bodhi, CAPS animal assisted therapy dog, will be present to enjoy meeting new students and putting a smile on everyone’s face.
While waiting in line for the flu shot, students can enjoy free fresh fruit and fruit smoothies from Smoothie King.
The expo is also an opportunity for student groups such as the Student Health Advisory Committee [SHS]; and Peer Educators [WHPS and CAPS] to participate and talk with their peers about health and wellness related services and resources.
Additional activities will include fun coloring activities, a meditative drumming circle, and games such as pool, ping pong and fuse ball.
Overall, the Expo is expected to be a huge success and is expected to impact more than 1,000 students. This collaboration of departments including UCF Cares within the Division of SDES is an informative way to share all the resources available to students to help them be happy, healthy and successful.