Mr. Noodles, breath mints, and deodorant. No, you’re not at a grocery store. These are just a few of the things that are offered for free at the Solace Centre.
The centre, located in the Gordon Willey Building, emphasizes student wellness over academics. No studying, no working, just relaxing.
The free essential items are part of the centre’s mission to prioritize good mental, physical, and nutritional health for students, according to Heather Bickle, a health promotions coordinator on campus.
The centre offers one-on-one wellness coaching and nutritional counselling. Students can also take advantage of a number of services and tools, such as health information and harm reduction outreach, to help them slow down.
It also offers other items such as pregnancy tests, toothbrushes, safe-sex tools, and safe-injection kits.
The room features soft lighting, colouring books, yoga mats, along with a weekly Monday Morning Meditation and is completely open for student use. However, resources used in the room cannot leave, according to Bickle.
The space is located in C111 in the Gordon Willey Building and is open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
– With files from Peter Fitzpatrick
