The 2004 Student Health Fair hopes to inform students about health and counseling services available on The U of M campus, and free lunch is part of the deal.
The fair will offer multiple exhibitions and services to students today on the alumni mall from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Students with valid U of M identification can get free pizza and register for door prizes at the event.
"The primary goal of the fair is to let students know about all of the resources that are available to them," said Jacqueline De Fouw, health educator with U of M Health Services. "There are so many different departments here on campus that deal with student health."
Student Health Services is cosponsoring this year's event with the Center for Student Development.
"We'll be giving out information about mental health, stress, eating disorders and alcohol and drug issues," said Jessica Ciavarella, psychologist at the psychological counseling center. "We have a number of group programs available that are more hands-on than in years past."
Faculty and student volunteers are providing information about all the Student Development Center's free individual and career counseling services.
Campus Recreation and Intramural Services, Student Disability Services, Health and Sport Science and Nutrition Department and U of M Police Services are some of The U of M groups participating in the event.
Exhibitors will be conducting blood sugar and blood pressure readings along with dental screenings at the fair.
"This year we will also have financial counseling representatives with information for students," De Fouw said. "The event and our budget have grown every year, and we're expecting more students to attend than last year."
Around 1,000 students attended the 2003 Student Health Fair, De Fouw said.
For students who have coasted through the first weeks of the fall semester, tests and other work may be adding to stress levels in the coming months.
"I'm not sure that students neglect their health, but stress is building in this part of the semester," De Fouw said. "They start to forget about eating and sleeping properly, and that's when people start to get sick."
Health Services is stressing immunizations this year, De Fouw said.
Information about when and where students can get shots will be available at the fair, but immunizations will not be available at the event.
"We hope that all students will come to the fair and participate," De Fouw added.
