Theresa Smith, director of Student Health Services, and Amy Henning, director of Counseling Services and Arcadia’s Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Program, received a $4,050 grant from Prevention Education Solutions, which serves as the pass-through entity for the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Drug and Alcohol.

This grant, which has now concluded, provided students with well-being journals to encourage gratitude, habit-building, and emotional reflection, supporting efforts to destigmatize mental health disorders and treatment while promoting prevention of AOD abuse. Benefits of this grant included increased well-being and flourishing, lower stress, and improved mental and physical health, all aligning with Arcadia’s mission of holistic student wellness, mental health awareness, and substance abuse prevention.

With dedicated resources, the University has maintained and expanded wellness initiatives such as Wellness Wednesdays, Armor UP, Knights!, the Knights Necessities health products vending machine, and other comprehensive wellness programs. 

“Financial support keeps these services accessible to all students, reduces barriers to care, and supports evidence-based strategies that nurture the six dimensions of well-being: physical, belonging, mental, intellectual, spiritual, and financial health,” Smith explained. “By investing in these efforts, Arcadia affirms its commitment to helping students not only succeed in their studies but also develop the confidence, connections, and sense of meaning that define a truly flourishing university experience.”

Well-being journals were distributed during Wellness Services’ Welcome Week presentation for first-year students and will continue to be shared in First-Year Seminar courses and Wellness Wednesdays programming.