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Cal State Long Beach students found out this week that getting healthy means more than just eating nutritional foods and exercising. They also learned they need to take care of their mental well-being.

As part of Wellness Week, Project OCEAN held “Live Your Life Day”, an event that provided yoga lessons, massages, emotional therapy dogs, hammocks, music, games and information on how to ward off negativity in everyday life.

“Suicide is a big issue with the highest numbers of deaths coming in the 18-year to 25-year old age group,” said Alex Villaneda, director of Project OCEAN. “One in 25 students have thoughts of suicide, which is why our QPR training is so important because it allows students to recognize others in their classes who are having symptoms and be able to step in and help save a life.0

“So, we are trying to reach out and make them aware of the signs and symptoms of depression.”

Project OCEAN offered information on mental health workshops on campus, psychological services and effective communication.

Wellness Week, sponsored by the , kicked off its “Education is Medicine” themed three-day event Monday with exercise flash mobs and a 1-mile jog/walk.

“I can’t tell you how much energy there was at the kickoff,” said Monica Lounsbery, dean of CHHS, who took part. “Along the course, there were so many health-related messages.”

Later Monday, the annual Lauda Wellness Lecture focused on connecting the campus and Long Beach community to the Exercise Is Medicine initiative that the LifeFit Center has endorsed.

The event concluded Wednesday with a Wellness Fair at the Friendship Walk and a Colloquium at The Pointe. The SCAN community event, part of the organization’s 40^th anniversary, centered on helping seniors in the city meet their needs and give them an idea of what the future looks like for them.

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