Riverside City College’s Terracina Drive was lined with mental health booths, food and pets at the annual Health and Wellness Fair.
The Riverside City College Student Health and Psychological Services Department invited students to the annual Health and Wellness Fair. The fair provided yoga therapy sessions with a yoga instructor, a pet therapy section and a free vaccine clinic provided by the Riverside University Health System on May 12.
“Any time a student is able to receive resources that will contribute to their mental and emotional well-being we’re happy,” RCC Mental Health Service Supervisor, Dr. Mary Rankin said. “We were able to serve over 700 students.”
Students participated in many different activities, which included petting dogs in the pet therapy section provided by the Paws-to-Share organization and a free bag of kettle corn provided by Enzo’s Kettle Corn and Lemonade.
Along with the many services provided, there was an RCC casual clothes “Pop-Up” stand where students could get business attire clothing to look presentable in job interviews.
“The Mental Health and Wellness Fair allow opportunities for students to have access to resources from 50 to 80 care providers at one time,” Rankin said.
The fair showcased that physical health is just as important as mental health with a yoga demonstration taught by yoga instructor Genesis Alvarez aka “Gratitude with Genesis.”
Alvarez demonstrated the yoga workshop at the wellness fair, giving students an opportunity to learn techniques that can improve both mental and physical health. Aside from the brief five-minute session, she has been teaching her “Movement Mondays” classes at RCC for nearly three years, hosting sessions weekly.
“Students have shared with me that they are practicing breathing techniques with yoga for the first time,” Alvarez said. “‘Movement Mondays’ at RCC is a safe space for students to come and relax.”
RCC student Itzel Avila, was glad that mental health resources were available and other students discussed their experiences at the fair.
“It’s a good thing to come and check out,” Kettle Corn stand employee and RCC student, Joel Lupe said. “Every booth you visit is very beneficial for questions students may have about their mental health.”
The next RCC event related to health and wellness is on May 18.
