SWELL drop-in lounge will focus on student wellbeing
Welcome to the SWELL. On Wednesday, the Student Wellness Education Lower Lounge opened to the campus community. The informal drop-in centre in the MUSC basement is designed to help students relax, unwind and become familiar with wellness education.
Eating right, exercising and getting plenty of sleep are all important aspects of student success. But so too is maintaining good mental health — a prospect made that much easier thanks to a new on-campus resource.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Student Wellness Centre officially opened the Student Wellness Education Lower Lounge, also known as “SWELL.”
Located on the basement level of the Student Centre across from the Underground design centre, the lounge was conceived as a drop-in space for students hoping to relax, chat with wellness educators and take a break from the hectic nature of campus life. The lounge will also help introduce students to the various mental health services offered at McMaster, including group, personal and psychological counselling, and a wide variety of wellness activities.
“We want this space to be a place where students can happen upon wellness education,” said Melissa Fernandes, a wellness education assistant at the Student Wellness Centre. “It’s open to students at all levels, and everyone is welcome to come lounge in the SWELL.”
With soft lighting and neutral earth tones, the lounge includes several couches and plush chairs where students can read, chat with peers, browse support literature and enjoy a complimentary cup of tea. SWELL staff and volunteers are also on hand to offer advice or simply chat with students about their general wellbeing. Each day of the week will feature a different general theme, including Mindfulness Mondays, Movie Tuesdays, Wellness Wednesdays, Thirst-tea Thursdays and Free-Fruit Fridays.
“Students are often managing a lot of different pressures when they’re at university. It’s not only academic stress but issues involving life stress, relationships, identity and basically figuring themselves out,” said Pearl Mendonca, wellness education coordinator at the Student Wellness Centre. “We are absolutely happy to have students come in and read, study and hang out with friends. And if they have a question, they’re able to approach myself and my colleagues.”
For Sean Van Koughnnett, associate vice-president (Students & Learning) and Dean of Students, ensuring students have access to mental health resources is just as important as having world-class academic and athletic resources.
“As a relative newcomer to campus, it pleases me to see so many mental health resources available to students at McMaster,” said Van Koughnnett. “Good health is the foundation of personal and academic success and involves more than exercise and a balanced diet. It’s also important to reduce stress, get enough sleep and maintain positive support networks. We recognize the challenges our students face and that’s why we will continue to strengthen our focus on mental health services and support.”
Hours for the new SWELL space are as follows: Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. On Fridays, the lounge will be open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
For more information on other wellness and student health initiatives on campus, visit the Student Wellness Centre online or call 905-525-9140 ext. 27700.
Watch the video below to learn more about SWELL and student mental health at McMaster:
