To combat the increasing health challenges faced by university staff and to promote overall well-being, the KNUST Wellness Centre established June as Wellness Month, starting in 2023. The 2024 Wellness Month focused on "Reducing Work-Related Stress." This year, the Wellness Month activities extended from June 1st to August 1st, 2024, engaging the entire university community in various health-promoting initiatives.
In alignment with this theme, the Wellness Centre organized visits to all units and colleges, including the Obuase campus. The Centre collaborated with facilitators from the KNUST Counselling Centre, Sports Directorate, and University Information Technology Services to deliver comprehensive talks and practical sessions. These visits provided an opportunity to directly engage with staff members, addressing their unique needs and challenges related to workplace stress.
These sessions covered various aspects of stress reduction. Experts from the KNUST Counselling Centre provided useful information into managing stress through mental health support and effective coping strategies. They emphasized the importance of seeking help and maintaining a supportive network to reduce the psychological impacts of stress. Techniques such as mindfulness, meditation, and relaxation exercises were highlighted as effective methods to manage mental health.
In his presentations, Mr. Reagan Sarpong from the Sports Directorate, emphasized the importance of physical activity in stress management, demonstrating exercises and activities that can be easily incorporated into daily routines. He included practical sessions such as simple stretches, breathing exercises, and low-impact aerobics activities designed to improve physical health and reduce stress levels of participants. Attendees were encouraged to maintain regular physical activity to enhance their overall well-being.
The facilitators from University Information Technology Services also shared tips on utilizing technology to enhance productivity and reduce stress caused by workload and time management challenges. They introduced various digital tools and applications that can help streamline tasks, organize schedules, and manage time more efficiently. Emphasis was placed on the numerous benefits of the Microsoft 365, introduced to the university and how staff can leverage on it for a more stress-free work life.
The initiative was well-received across the university community, with staff members actively participating in the sessions and gaining practical knowledge to improve their well-being. The feedback reflected the success of Wellness Month 2024. Thereby underlining the commitment of the KNUST Wellness Centre to fostering a healthier, more resilient university environment.
According to Dr. (Mrs.) Phyllis Tawiah, the chairperson for the 2024 Wellness Month planning committee, this does not mark the conclusion of efforts to ensure wellness at KNUST. The Wellness Centre will persist in facilitating wellness initiatives and activities throughout the academic year and beyond, with a continuous focus on addressing work-related stress. The stressors identified by staff during Wellness Month will be carefully reviewed and addressed by management to foster a healthy and stress-free community.