A Community Approach to Student Wellness
At the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), students grapple with the emotional fallout from the pandemic through a supportive community built around fitness and wellness. This initiative, known as Project Wellness, is student-led and addresses the increasing mental health struggles faced by university students.
Jose Llanes, a key leader in the initiative, reflects on the factors that inspired Project Wellness. He stated, ‘A bunch of things brought us to this moment. The pandemic, a lot of students on campus at UNLV and across the country were feeling stressed, depressed, and that connection wasn’t there.’
In the spring, the project hosted a boxing event at the university gym, led by Henry Namauu from Fight Capital Gym. This event was an opportunity for participants to engage in physical activity while nurturing mental health. Llanes explained, ‘Our fitness committee – we’re doing that right now with boxing. A lot of studies show our physical health and mental health are intertwined, and when we work out, the more endorphins are released.’
Llanes further elaborated on the impact of physical fitness in fighting mental health issues by stating, ‘Fighting mental health, boxing mental health. The more you fight, the more you put yourself out there, the better it’s going to be.’
This initiative not only emphasizes fitness but also fosters community among students, proving that connection and support are vital in overcoming mental health challenges.
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