SUNY Old Westbury, which is part of the State University of New York system, held a health fair titled ‘Passport to Wellness’ on April 1 for its over 4,500 students. Hundreds of students thronged the fair, and a score and more tables were set up in the atrium of the Camus Center.
The poster for the 3-hour event in the afternoon held out a promise to “Explore the 8 Dimensions of Wellness.” One dimension they included is, of course, spiritual, and addressing that was ALotusInTheMud.com, run by an Indian-origin journalist, Parveen Chopra.
Cristine Tesoriero, executive director of health and wellness services at the university, said that Lotus was invited to participate in the wellness fair as it represents the spiritual dimension, one of the eight dimensions of wellness.
“We are focusing on eight dimensions because each of the dimensions impacts one’s health. Whether it’s financial, spiritual, physical, or emotional well-being, each is very important, and we want to provide the resources of the community and on-campus resources to our students,” she said.
Faylon Robinson, a registered nurse at SUNY Old Westbury, added, “Obviously, the spiritual component is very important. So we reached out to A Lotus in the Mud, and we are happy to have them here today to assist our students in this regard.”
The vendors included those offering services and free resources for mental health and substance misuse counseling. Both government-run institutions and private setups were represented. They included the Bridges Program, an outpatient system of care for young adults who are at risk for or living with substance misuse and mental health issues, funded by SAMHSA of the Department of Health. Then there was Thrive, A Center for Transformation, Healing, Recovery, Inspiration, Validation, and Empowerment.
A few vendors had interactive features to engage the students. One woman was seen offering drumming lessons. There was even a group of chiropractors offering on-site relief from back pain, etc. They worked non-stop, indicating that desk work is causing physio problems.
Interacting with Lotus, Tatiyana McLean, senior counselor at the university’s student counseling center, said that “mental health issues are becoming all common, and students are very open these day to talk about them, which is a good thing.”
When asked about her counseling techniques, she explained, “I do individual counseling, couple counseling, and family counseling. I utilize mindfulness techniques, embodiment techniques, and somatic techniques to help decrease anxiety, and I work a lot with the body.”
The wellness fair is a much-needed initiative for students, especially given that National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports that over one in five U.S. adults—approximately 59.3 million adults, or 23.1%– are dealing with mental health issues.
The event buzzed with students exploring the stalls and speaking with the experts, eager to understand different facets of wellness.
A Lotus in the Mud team also interacted with students, addressed their queries, and highlighted the crucial role of spirituality – which anyone can start with some form of meditation – in leading a balanced life.
The 8 dimensions of wellness
- Mental/Emotional Well-Being: Building resilience, managing stress, and nurturing feelings.
- Physical Wellness: Maintaining a healthy body through nutrition, exercise, and sleep.
- Social Well-Being: Developing a sense of connection, belonging, and a support system.
- Financial Well-Being: Managing resources to live within means and planning for the future.
- Purpose/Occupational Well-Being: Finding personal satisfaction and enrichment through work, studies, and volunteering.
- Environmental Well-Being: Occupying pleasant, stimulating environments that support well-being.
- Spiritual Well-Being: Expanding a sense of purpose and meaning in life.
- Intellectual Well-Being: Recognizing creative abilities and finding ways to expand knowledge and skills.
Kripa Ranjan Prasad created a video of highlights of the SUNY Old Westbury Wellness fair 2026. You can access it on YouTube:
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