The University of New Brunswick’s Student Wellness Hub had its grand opening on Jan. 24 at the Student Union Building (SUB).
Erin Crossland is the acting director of counselling services and hopes the new hub will attract people due to its hours and location in the lobby.
“It’s open anytime for students to come in, to hang out, to meet other people and to talk anytime,” said Crossland.
Open during the same hours as the SUB, the space aims to create an accessible area to help stressed students relax in a calming setting.
The inaugural event included raffles, sweets and games. A St. John Ambulance therapy dog named Gizmo made an appearance at the opening and will be at the hub every second Monday for an hour at 2 p.m.
The room is outfitted with comfortable arm-chairs and a couch. Multiple puzzles and board games are available.
There will be regular board games nights in the Student Wellness Hub every Friday from 5 to 8 p.m.
Focusing on in-person communication is a goal of the hub, which Crossland hopes to be a tech-free zone.
“We want a clear place to meet people, [to] talk to people. The tagline is to ‘disconnect from devices to connect with people,’” she said.
The Student Wellness Hub was designed with direct input from students to build the destressing environment.
UNB’s Positive Mental Health Team Coordinator Isabelle Doucet-Fletcher said they took suggestions from students on what the space should include. She started volunteering with the group last year before taking on a leadership role.
“I thought, if I’m going, I might as well volunteer and help out,” she said.
Members of the Positive Health team range from student athletes, student union members and many others.
Education and Counselling Masters student Whitney McCoy plans on taking advantage of the Student Wellness Hub.
“I love puzzles because it feels like mindfulness,” said McCoy. “Activity brings me into the present moment.”
The space will start hosting a speaker series in February about mental health.
“So it’s two fold, there’s events and [it’s] also a place where people can connect with wellness resources,” said Crossland.
“There will be more to come as the space develops and grows.”
