The Student Wellness Ambassador Team (SWAT) at Illinois State University provides wellness resources to students and the community.
SWAT hosts events to promote the eight dimensions of health and provides physical resources to Illinois State students through the Wellness Gazebo, the GSpot.
President Tatum Flores said the group holds educational workshops on campus that cover topics like safe sex, consent, safe alcohol use, substance abuse risks, COVID-19 misconceptions, and COVID-19 resources.
“Aside from presenting workshops, our members typically help run and staff our Portable Wellness Gazebo, the GSpot, which offers sexual resources like condoms and lubricants, pamphlets covering a diverse amount of health topics, and from time to time we have been able to offer smoking cessation kits and menstrual products,” Flores said.
SWAT strives to educate each of its members and reach as many Illinois State students as possible with accurate and helpful information relating to the eight dimensions of health.
“SWAT also partners with other RSOs on campus during Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) to educate and bring awareness to sexual assault through the events Consent Day, Denim Day, and the National Day of Silence,” Flores said.
Consent Day and Denim Day occur in April as part of SAAM. “These events are the biggest events of the year for SWAT and always have a great turn out from the Illinois State community and the local Bloomington-Normal community,” Flores continued.
According to Flores, many SWAT members aren’t of health backgrounds or majors. SWAT creates a space that is safe, diverse, and inclusive to all that want to be a part of it.
“SWAT has a welcoming and warm atmosphere that really makes students feel that they matter and are important to this RSO,” Flores said.
