USM Students’ Well-Being Focal Point of Fall Wellness Festival

Thu, 10/19/2023 - 08:34am | By: Van Arnold

Students at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) will have an opportunity to learn more about resources available to them in a fun, relaxing atmosphere as part of the Fall Wellness Festival set for Tuesday, Oct. 24 on the Hattiesburg campus. The festival will be held from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. at Spirit Park.

Students Counseling Services, Moffitt Health Center and Campus Recreation are co-hosting the event for the second straight year. The festivities will include food, games, music, face painting, Cash Money therapy dog, door prizes and more.

Brittany Quito, Mental Wellness Coordinator for Student Counseling Services, points out that the purpose of the festival is to give students a chance to learn about different wellness areas both on campus and in the community, but in a more informal environment.

“USM departments, student organizations, and community partners are invited to share their information and resources with the student body for any area of wellness, including mental/emotional, physical, social, and financial,” said Quito.

The demands on a college student can be stressful, particularly those experienced by first-year students. Quito explains that the upcoming festival is designed to alleviate some of those daily pressures.

“We hope the students know that USM cares about them and their total well-being,” she said. “It can be a lot coming in as a first-year student and being overwhelmed with all of the wonderful resources this campus provides. We hope this festival serves as a reminder to all students that there are many great resources available to them on campus to help them grow and thrive during their time here at USM.”

In the event of rain, the Grand Ballroom of the Thad Cochran Center will be the designated rain site for the festival. Email Brittany Quito for questions.