This summer, Middlesex Community College is offering Pop-Up Wellness Lounge events run by the college’s Wellness Resource Center (WRC). The events allow students to connect, relax, and enjoy activities with the college community during the summer months.
The first in-person Pop-Up Wellness Lounge on Tuesday, July 8, gave students a chance to connect with peers and meet with Middlesex wellness counselors who hosted the events. In addition to asking wellness questions in a more laid-back setting, students and counselors talked about topics outside of the school. Students also completed crafts and puzzles, played games, ate snacks, and used kinetic sand while listening to music.
As part of MCC’s partnership with the JED Foundation, the WRC created the Pop-up Wellness Lounge to help students feel less lonely and more connected to others during the summer months. The goal was to provide experiences to improve, expand, and maintain students’ wellness even when classes are not in session, according to Amy Mahoney, MCC’s Wellness Counselor.
“Many students I’ve spoken with have shared a common theme – they’re eager to connect with others but unsure where or how to start,” Mahoney said. “Social connection is a vital part of emotional well-being, and the Wellness Resource Center has focused its efforts on creating meaningful opportunities for connection. We’re proud to be exploring new ways to support our students and look forward to seeing you – on-campus or online.”
A second in-person Pop-Up Wellness Lounge will take place at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 6 in MCC’s Lowell Cowan Center Lower Cafeteria. Two virtual sessions on Zoom will take place at 2 p.m. on Thursday, July 17 and Monday, August 18.
The Pop-Up Wellness Lounge expands on the WRC’s mission from their annual Wellness Fair. The goals of the Wellness Fair include bringing students together in a supportive and engaging environment, similar to what the smaller get-togethers at the Wellness Lounges aim to do. Outside of these events, the WRC consistently hosts speakers and workshops centered on building social and emotional skills.
In addition to offering wellness-oriented events, the WRC also offers wellness counseling and coaching for time management and building habits. Counseling and coaching sessions help students improve their personal, academic, and financial wellness in one-on-one meetings with counselors. The WRC also provides support for students’ essential needs, such as housing opportunities, food pantry access, and more. Additionally, the WRC runs support for the Program for Asian American Student Advancement (PAASA) on both of MCC’s campuses.
Learn more about MCC’s upcoming Pop-Up Wellness Lounges and other WRC resources.