If you’ve ever wanted to try a Happy Light, weighted blanket, or meditation headband, the University Libraries now offer six health and wellness kits for checkout. The kits contain technology to help you find focus, renew energy, or experience calm. A Tech Fee proposal put forward by the Libraries’ Learning and Engagement Department and approved for funding by the Student Technology Review Committee provided funding for the equipment.
“We know that many Miami students are struggling with mental health concerns including stress and anxiety related to COVID-19,” said Lindsay Miller, head of the Libraries’ Learning and Engagement department. “Our hope is that these kits can be a supplement to other services and resources on campus and continue the important conversation of how to support our students’ health and wellness.”
Jennifer Young, Assistant Director for Outreach & Programming for the Student Counseling Service (SCS), provided resources about SCS services for each kit, including a flier for the H.O.P.E. Line, which the SCS website describes as a 24/7 call line for “immediate support, crisis intervention, and stabilization from a licensed mental health counselor.”
Librarians are now developing an online guide containing information about the items in each kit and supplemental health and wellness resources. The kits will also be promoted to Residence Life and student groups and campus units focused on health and wellness. According to Miller, “student groups may be interested in these kits for use in health and wellness programming across campus or to try out products before making a personal purchase.”
Each kit can be checked out from King Library for up to seven days, and interested Miamians can check which kits are available using the Libraries’ online catalog.