Annual Wellness Fair Provides Health Information

With Flu Season upon us, it’s a good idea to get a flu shot  rather than to come down with the flu.
Photo Courtesy of verywell.com

The annual Wellness Fair was held Wednesday, October 26, in the Ballroom of the Student Center. The fair started at 10AM and ended at 2PM. 

    The Wellness Fair provided students, faculty, staff, and community members information about the importance of healthful living and offered additional information on several health services in the area that are available at various centers and clinics. The fair also offered flu shots to visitors. People could have brought $25 or their insurance cards for a flu shot. If visitors could not afford a flu shot, the Mercer County Board of Health could give one for free. This is perfect timing since flu season is just around the corner. The Wellness Fair is an annual event. 

    Jill Nolan, Assistant Professor of Health Education and Health Promotion, was at the front booth to greet visitors who wanted to learn more about health services and information. “The main goal is to give everyone flu shots, and the end of October is a good time to get your flu shot. We also try to bring in a lot of other vendors both from on and off campus to give information on what is available,” said Nolan. 

    Overall health is important because it plays a large part in people’s lives. People can usually be so busy that it can be difficult to check on their health. The Wellness Fair gave people a great opportunity to learn about and check on their health. Along with a flu shot, visitors could get their blood pressure checked and get a Body Mass Index (BMI) screening. 

    There were sixteen vendors at this year’s Wellness Fair. Visitors could go around and learn from each booth about the services they offered. One vendor present was a representative from the Office of Attorney General Patrick Morrisey. Peni Adams, a Consumer Representative and Compliance Specialist, was there to offer several articles of information on the health services they provide to the public. One main article at the booth was information on receiving help for opioid abuse which has become a major problem in the state of West Virginia. “We wanted to spread awareness about how when you become addicted to opioids it turns into heroin use. It just skyrockets,” said Adams.

    Adams also provided resources on financial wellness. They offered visitors information on how to keep from being victims of scams and how to keep their credit scores in good shape. Visitors could also learn more information about student debt.

    Another vendor was the Mercer County Rape Crisis Center. They provided brochures and cards on The Family Refuge Center and Stop Abusive Family Environments (S.A.F.E.). The Mercer County Rape Crisis Center opened this past August, and Amanda Buchanan, a representative of the Mercer County Rape Crisis Center, was there to raise awareness about sexual assault and to promote the center. 

    Buchanan offered several different forms of information on preventing rape. One brochure provided information on how drugs can be used in rape and how to identify the drugs. Other brochures showed what services are offered for victims of sexual assault, such as support groups. “We offer counseling and the anonymous crisis line if they don’t want to be identified. We also offer hospital accompaniment and court accompaniment,” said Buchanan.

    For more information from the Office of Attorney General Patrick Morrisey call (304)-993-9106. The Mercer County Rape Crisis Center phone number is (304)-825-STOP and the 24-Hour Crisis Hotline 1-866-645-6334.