The Saint Francis University Mindfulness and Wellness Initiative Even before Coronavirus came onto the scene, members of SFU’s Student Government Association were thinking about the mental wellness of their fellow students. SGA President Randee McGee and Vice-President Alex Kiepert were seeking ways to help students cope with stress so they could perform at their best. At the same time the Director of Residence Life, Don Miles, and Res Life Coordinator, Alex Rivers, had become increasingly aware of the high levels of stress and hardship students at SFU were facing, particularly after the loss of three students to tragedy in mid-2019. They wanted to provide students with resources which would improve their health and well-being and give them greater emotional resiliency. These two paths came together in the Fall of 2019 to become the Saint Francis University Mindfulness and Wellness Initiative.
Soon after, others joined the Initiative including the SFU Athletics department, the Counseling Center, the DiSepio Institute for Rural Health and Wellness, Campus Ministry and the Fine Arts department. This task force/initiative was the perfect foundation for what would be needed to guide students through the emotional impacts of COVID-19. Their planning began in early 2020 with the idea of sponsoring face-to-face mental wellness events including yoga on the mall, a running group, diverse fitness classes and meditation. As campus life was forced online in March, the team turned to virtual activities and outlets for students to implement healthy lifestyle behaviors for the mind, body, and spirit. Some examples included online holistic wellness workshops and meditation sessions, virtual painting and music lessons, and streaming prayer and praise events throughout the week.
Starting Centered: SFU resident assistants and orientation counselors took a brief break from preparing for the arrival of new students on campus in August to learn about mindfulness and contemplative prayer in the Mount Assisi Gardens.
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