MBU Wellness Happenings - August 2026 — Mary Baldwin University

Monthly updates from the office of Wellness Initiatives

September Health Observances

Suicide Prevention Month

From the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), learn about the risk factors of suicide
From the Health Advocate blog, find out how to address the issue of suicide in a caring, nonjudgmental way

National Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15 – October 15

From the Health Advocate blog, learn about ways to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month

Fruits & Veggies More Matters Month

From the Health Advocate blog, learn why you should really eat fruits and vegetables, ways you can enjoy produce this fall, tips to include more fruits and veggies in your diet, and the benefits of eating the rainbow of fruits and veggies

National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month

From the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), get tips to support your children and teens with healthy routines and find out how much physical activity your kids need to stay healthy
From the Health Advocate blog, learn how to help your kids get fit with these family-centric physical activity ideas

National Recovery Month

From the Health Advocate blog, here’s how to reduce stigma during National Recovery Month and how to take back control if you’re addicted to alcohol

National Cholesterol Education Month

From the CDC, learn more about cholesterol here
From the Health Advocate blog, find out if you’re due for a cholesterol screening

National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

From the CDC, click here to learn more about prostate cancer and get a tip sheet that includes questions for you to ask your doctor.
From the Health Advocate blog, find out if a prostate cancer screening is right for you

For organizations: From ZERO: The End of Prostate Cancer, check out their resource library that includes educational webinars, videos, and more.

Healthy Aging Month

From Health.gov, check out these Move Your Way physical activity tips for older adults
From the Health Advocate blog, use these tips to help your senior loved ones stay engaged, find out how to help your parents navigate aging, and read about ways to help maximize your aging loved ones’ independence

September 18 is National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day

From HIV.gov, learn more about health issues and aging with HIV

September 27 is National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

From Health.gov, learn about getting tested for HIV and get questions to ask your doctor about HIV testing

September 29 is World Heart Day

From the World Heart Federation, get quick tips to help you protect your heart
From the Health Advocate blog, learn about seven steps to a healthier heart

Health Advocate

Upcoming Health Advocate Webinars

August 20, 2026
Finding Balance in a Digitally Driven World
10:00 am (ET) 4:00 pm (ET)

September 17, 2026
Suicide Prevention: What to Know and How to Help
10:00 am (ET) 4:00 pm (ET)

October 15, 2026
Strategies for Coping with Grief, Trauma & Beyond
10:00 am (ET) 4:00 pm (ET)

(Click the links above to register)

On-Campus Events

MBU Wellness Events

8/25/25 11:30 am – 1:30 pm in Hunt Dining Hall & 8/27/ 25 11 am -12 pm MDCHS

Wellness Bingo kick off event

Wellness bingo is an engaging, interactive game for students, faculty and staff that promotes healthy habits across physical, mental, and social dimensions. Players complete daily self-care tasks like drinking water or attending a campus workshop to mark off squares and are entered into a raffle to win prizes.

How It Works

Players get a bingo card with wellness tasks in each grid space.
Students, faculty and staff complete activities during the month
Participants track habits and aim to complete a row, column, or full blackout.
Completed rows, columns and cards are submitted for a chance to win prizes.

9/3/26

9 am – 4pm MHFA – Mental Health First Aid Training- Pearce 301

Audience: Anyone 18 +

Min/max: 5 – 30 participants

“Just as CPR helps you assist an individual having a heart attack, Mental Health First Aid helps you assist someone experiencing a mental health or substance use-related crisis. In the Mental Health First Aid course, you learn risk factors and warning signs for mental health and addiction concerns, strategies for how to help someone in both crisis and non-crisis situations, and where to turn for help.”

Questions? Contact Erin from the Valley Community Services Board:ebotkin@vcsb.org

9/10/26

12-1:30 pm Affirmation Station and Chalk the Walk partnering with Social work and CJ – Hunt

You Are Enough. Reflect and connect. Take a card to brighten your day or share it with someone to brighten theirs. Chalk the walk with encouraging messages for those that might be struggling. In front of hunt for chalk the walk and upstairs in the mezzanine for the affirmation station.

9/22/26

1- 5 pm SafeTalk training for students Grafton 201

LivingWorks safeTALK is a half-day, FREE in-person workshop for students that empowers you to recognize when someone may be thinking about suicide, talk with them directly, and connect them to life-saving support. Through hands-on practice and guided learning, you’ll build the confidence to have open, honest conversations that can make all the difference.

MBU Wellness is partnering with the Valley Community Services Board for this event.

Questions? Contact Erin from the Valley Community Services Board:ebotkin@vcsb.org

Faculty/ Staff Wellness Portal Health Advocate:

Health Advocate replaced Web MD wellness portal in Jan 2024.

Quarter 3 deadline to earn and log incentives September 30, 2026

To earn the incentive you need to earn and log cumulative of 300 points in the wellness portal during Q1 ( Jan 1 – March 31, 2026) and Q2 (April – June 30,2026) and Q3 (July 1- September 30, 2026) Q4 ( October 1, 2026 – December 10,2026)

Question about the new portal can be emailed to Director of Wellness Initiatives Christine Flory at cmflory@marybaldwin.edu

Here’s how to create your account:

Fac/Staff please take a few minutes to watch this video as it provides a comprehensive overview of the new well being portal and how to log incentives through Health Advocate.

Health Advocate: Navigating the Portal