DkIT Raises Awareness of Health & Wellbeing at Health Fair 2019

29 January 2019

The Health Unit at Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) recently launched the first annual Health Fair in conjunction with Sports and Societies Fit4Life programme and the Dundalk 10k sign up.

The Health Fair attracted a multitude of local and national support. Some of the organisations that attended the event included The Marie Keating Foundation, Mental Health Ireland, Outcomers Dundalk, Spun Out and the Recovery College.

Speaking at the event Michael Nobel, Development Officer, Mental Health Ireland noted that

“The event was a huge success as I found students had no problem coming up to the stand and asking questions about mental health and wellbeing. They also were more than happy to take the literature provided at the stand which sometimes can be uncommon. At Mental Health Ireland we are dedicated to breaking down the stigma around Mental Health, we strive to educate everyone on ways that they can better cope with their mental wellbeing and how they can find answers to any questions they have. The most common questions that students tend to have is how to cope with exam pressure, my biggest recommendation is to utilise the amenities around you and you can always find more information online at Mental Health Ireland, Spun Out, the HSE website and the Recovery College website.”

There were a number of interactive activities available on campus for students to also check in on their physical health such as; blood pressure and blood sugar testing from our Nursing group and, healthy cooking demonstrations from our Hospitality department. Students could also practice their CPR techniques with our on-site nurse. There were also a number of healthy fruit options available for students to take home for free.

On the launch of Fit 4 Life programme and Dundalk 10k, Derek Crilly DkIT Sports and Societies Officer said

“Our main emphasis for the Fit 4 Life programme this year is to get staff and students to take part in the DkIT Dundalk 10K run. The event will include a fun 5k walk. This event is once again being hosted by Dundalk Institute of Technology and it will take place on Wednesday 10th of April 2019, starting and finishing at DKIT Sport. This run is a great challenge and we would encourage as many staff and students as possible to support the event.”

As part of the Fit 4 Life programme Sports and Societies are also offering special rates for their fitness and health classes.

DkITSU Vice President and Welfare Officer, Aaron Geagan commented that

“Today we seen DkIT’s very first Health Fair, a massive thank you to all of the organisations, staff and students who got involved. Today was a massive success and it was great to see so many people from so many different departments come together to support such an important cause. As Welfare Officer here at DkIT, I know we deal with a multitude of topics and wellbeing is one of them so it was great to see such a turn out and to see so many students getting involved and interacting with the representatives from the organisations and the activities that were on campus. The range of activities on campus were fantastic from people getting involved in charities to signing up for Dundalk 10K”

To find out more about the health services available at DkIT, please visit: https://www.dkit.ie/dkit-life/student-supports/health-and-wellbeing.html