Bryn Mawr 101: Wellness Program (OwlWell)

Can you give an overview of the OwlWell program and its role in student life at Bryn Mawr?  

OwlWell is Bryn Mawr's holistic wellness education program. Managed by two professional staff members and a dedicated team of student Peer Health and Wellness Educators (PHWEs), we support Bryn Mawr students' well-being through programming, advocacy, and outreach. It’s our belief that the exploration of wellness, in its many facets, is not only an integral part of personal development but is crucial to student success inside and outside of the classroom. Our program aims to provide space and resources to students during that exploration and to provide support and education along the way! 

What kinds of wellness resources and services are available to students on campus through the program?  

We maintain a wellness lounge, The Nest, on the 2^nd floor of The Well which is open for drop-in hours M-F from 1 pm to 4 pm (hosted by our professional staff members) and M-Th from 7 pm to 9 pm (hosted by our PHWEs). In The Nest, students can find wellness supplies such as safer sex supplies, menstrual products and snacks. We also have a wellness library, lots of wellness handouts, craft supplies, and a massage chair! Students can drop by to ask us wellness questions, get connected to resources on campus, work on some crafts or other de-stressing activities, or just take a nap! 

In addition to our physical space, we also provide a variety of wellness programming across campus. Our two professional staff members, Cristen and Erika, provide one-on-one wellness education and consultation meetings. Both our staff members and PHWEs provide workshops on topics such as healthy relationships and harm reduction, we work with faculty and staff to come to meetings to talk about wellness topics, and we provide tablings throughout the semester to provide resources to the community. 

"In addition to our drop-in hours, we do a number of “stress buster” events during mid-terms and finals to encourage students to take a step away from their work and practice self-care."

How does the program support students’ mental health, especially during high-stress times like exams?  

In addition to our drop-in hours, we do a number of “stress buster” events during mid-terms and finals to encourage students to take a step away from their work and practice self-care. These events have been everything from therapy dogs (and a bunny!) to blending your own tea! 

We also work as part of an integrated unit along with Health Services and Counseling Services. This helps us connect students directly into other services on campus if they would benefit from a higher level of support than we are able to provide as educators. 

What are the student-led wellness opportunities with OwlWell?  

We work with a team of 8 student Peer Health and Wellness Educators (PHWEs). The PHWEs are highly trained and paid educators who work in our office to provide support to their peers through drop-in hours, workshops, social media campaigns, and much more! The PHWEs are a vital part of our office! 

How can first-year students get involved with the program when they arrive on campus?  

Come to programs and drop-in hours! You truly don’t need to have a question or concern to come to our drop-in hours - just come say hi, hang out in the space, and grab a snack. We are always happy to see new folks and we have a lot of students who just hang out in The Nest to play games and relax.  

What are some of the most popular wellness events or activities offered throughout the year?  

Therapy dogs always has a huge turn out and is so much fun. We also maintain a healing garden outside of The Well and planting days have become a beloved event, especially when the weather is nice.  

How does the program address different dimensions of wellness?  

We take a holistic approach to wellness education try to resources and programs that address a variety of wellness areas – whether it is a mindfulness and meditation program, gentle stretching out on the lawn, discussions about friendship and communication, or workshops on STIs.  

In what ways does OwlWell collaborate with other campus offices or organizations?  

We are part of the larger Undergraduate College Division and collaborate with many of the departments within that division (as well as across campus). Currently, our staff member Erika teaches a fitness class down at the fitness center, we work with Breaking Barriers on a baking class at least once a year, we do student outreach events with Res Life and Student Engagement, and we’ve co-sponsored speakers with the Impact Center. We have also worked with a number of the POSSE cohorts on wellness programs and had wonderful faculty members present workshops on topics such as the neurobiology of sleep. 

In addition to programmatic collaboration, many departments on campus will refer students to us to talk through wellness concerns that they may have or to get students connected in to other health and wellness resources. 

What advice would you give to prospective students about maintaining balance and well-being in college? 

Remember that wellness and self-care isn’t something that you have to earn! Wellness, care, and rest are necessary parts of our human experience and they help support all the other things we want to do – academics, clubs, jobs, etc. Really try to work self-care into your schedule, not just when everything else is done but as part of your daily routine. Make time for a walk or some gentle movement, take 10 minutes to have a break from your screen, build in time to catch up with friends or family, and take a nap! And if you need help figuring out how to best care for yourself, we’re here to help!