Bloomington Leader

The Office of Student Life at Indiana University Bloomington has transformed a building located at 625 N. Eagleson Ave. into the new Wellness House, aimed at supporting students' mental and physical health. This facility hosts Student Wellness, Substance Use Intervention Services, and the Collegiate Recovery Community.

The Wellness House features reservable spaces for campus groups and partners, along with four distinct areas designed for relaxation, collaboration, meditation, and study. It officially opened in January, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for February 13 from 3:30 to 5 p.m.

Samantha Smith, the associate vice provost for health and well-being, emphasized the importance of engaging actively in health and well-being activities. She stated, “When you think about health and well-being, it’s a voluntary option; you have to opt into being engaged actively.”

The four wellness rooms each offer unique environments:

- The Fireplace Room provides a cozy space for studying and relaxation.

- The Quiet Room offers a peaceful escape with flexible seating options like bean bags and pillows.

- The Collaboration Space encourages creativity with puzzles, board games, art supplies, and can host special events.

- The Meditation Space is designed for personal reflection or prayer.

These rooms are open from noon to 8 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and noon to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday. Additionally, two classroom-like spaces are available by reservation for students or faculty use.

Smith hopes that faculty will refer students to Wellness House as a supportive resource when they feel overwhelmed. Staff can also direct students to the Student Health Center or Counseling and Psychological Services if needed.

Kathy Adams Riester highlighted the importance of student health for success: “Students’ health and well-being, both physical and mental, are important for students to be successful.” She added that bringing various services together in one location supports this goal.

Financial support from Students Helping Students facilitated furnishing the space based on feedback indicating a need for more areas where students could relax or practice self-care on campus. Bobbie Saccone noted that the building previously served different functions before becoming Wellness House.