Student wellness week at the Varsity College Sandton

The IIE’s Varsity College Sandton hosted a student wellness week where different activities were held in support of mental wellness.

A ‘You Matter Webinar’, a de-stressing workshop with the student wellness manager, a pillow talk pyjama dialogue, and a slipper day in support of the Reach for a Dream Foundation all formed part of the college’s student wellness week.

Anto Kagisho, the public relations and events coordinator at the college, said, “The aim of the week, held on campus, was to create awareness around the importance of mental health and emotional self-care for students.”

Kagisho added that the highlight of the week was the Pillow Talk Pyjama Dialogue, which was hosted to ensure that students are aware of the various platforms they can use to talk about their feelings without feeling judged.

“The Pillow Talk Pyjama Dialogue had students write on clay plates; some of the students wrote some keywords that were hindering them from being free in terms of their mental health. All plates were then smashed at the end of the day as a symbol of letting go of mental health hindrances.”

Second-year Bachelor of Social Science student Shanelle Thompson said she enjoyed the safe space the week created and loved being able to sit with students that she would generally just pass in hallways and authentically speak about anything.

“With Pillow Talk Pyjama Dialogue, I learnt that you cannot go through anything alone; mental health is important because as students, we face so many challenges. Smashing the plate felt great as it symbolised, for me, letting go of a lot of my issues. I look forward to more events like this.”

Related Article:

https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/328965/social-committee-focus-week/

https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/327470/iie-varsity-college-lends-a-helping-hand-to-the-diepsloot-community/