At Liberty University, the Wellness Program focuses on all aspects of well-being.
Sharon Olowoyo, an educator in the health and wellness field, works together with Campus Recreation to manage the Wellness Program, which caters to the general Liberty community focusing on the nine dimensions of wellness.
“Right now, a lot of campuses are looking at wellness as a comprehensive department,” Olowoyo said. “We are trying to meet each dimension to see how we can affect the life of our community.”
Olowoyo emphasized the importance of having a healthy emotional, social and digital wellbeing.
The impact of coronavirus, coupled with the integration of technology in day-to-day activities, is one of the reasons that students experience challenges with communication, isolation and loneliness. With the increase in internet usage due to COVID, many students find themselves spending less time outside walking or playing sports with friends and roommates.
According to Olowoyo, students may find themselves comparing their online experience to reality without knowing the difference between the two.
“If you met 100 people in real life and they say, you look amazing, that would literally make your day,” Olowoyo said. “You can see how it kind of changes things when they’re having it on a digital scale instead of real life.”
The Wellness Program helps students access resources established within the university. This includes cooperation with the Counseling & Psychological Services, CARE& Support, the Center for Student Thriving, LUONE, Pastoral Counseling & Care and many others. The program cooperates with Liberty’s School of Public and Community Health and the Lynchburg community as well.
“We have so many resources for students,” Olowoyo said. “But a lot of them either do not know or they are just not able to connect to it. And I feel like wellness helps us bridge that gap with students.”
Every fall, The Wellness Program holds one of its biggest events called the Wellness Expo. The Wellness Expo rebranded this year as Champion Wellness, tying the program to Liberty’s mission of Training Champions for Christ.
This year’s expo was held Sept. 8, and students learned about wellness resources in a hands-on manner. Horizon Behavioral Health gave free naloxone — also known as Narcan — training this year, while other companies offered health screenings.
“A champion for Christ is someone that is well equipped,” Olowoyo said. “We have to be prepared.”
The Wellness Program holds other events, such as environmental wellness events, art activities and the Out of the Darkness walk.
In the future, Olowoyo said the Wellness Program is looking to provide more spaces for students to rest and recover.
Olowoyo said despite changes in students’ interests and trends in wellness, the program is looking to offer resources that will make an impact.
“We’re here for the community, especially the students,” Olowoyo said.
Faith also plays an important role in Liberty’s approach to wellness. The program connects students with faith-based resources such as Pastoral Counseling and LU Shepherd alongside traditional wellness services.
When it comes to the Wellness Program, the preparation of students entails doing more than equipping them with resources. Preparation also includes enabling students to identify situations requiring assistance, getting helpand cultivating practices that may be helpful beyond the Liberty experience.
Shepard is a sports editor for The Liberty Champion.