Graphic with splotches of water color and the text "Revive, Reconnect, Thrive! Health and Wellness Summit".

Health and Wellness Services invites you to join the annual Health & Wellness Summit! This year’s summit will be held Oct. 12 to 15, and it will feature virtual presentations as well as in-person activities and fairs. 

The Summit is free and open to all CU Boulder students, staff and faculty.

Register to attend the Health and Wellness Summit


Virtual presentations

Mental health focus

Here are a few presentations that will cover topics related to mental health:

Keynote: Aligning Values into Action: A Panel on Mental Health with CU Leadership

 CU Boulder Leadership      Tuesday, Oct. 12 from 9 to 9:50 a.m. 

​CU Boulder is committed to the health and wellness of the whole person. For a lot of us it’s not just the right thing to do, it’s personal. Join campus leaders as they talk about how they have addressed challenges of mental health and wellbeing in their personal journeys and how their experiences impacted their decisions, values and the work they do.


Self-care: Why it’s Important

 Laura Ragin, Retiree and CU Boulder alumni      Tuesday, Oct. 12 from 10 to 10:50 a.m.

The session is to explain the importance and benefits of self-care, and how everyone can practice it. We will use the six dimensions of wellness (social, emotional, intellectual, physical, occupational and spiritual) as the foundation for living a holistic and balanced life. Each participant will take a self-care assessment that includes the six dimensions.


Mental Health First Aid

 Maggie Shelton and Maddy Witwer-Dukes, Health Promotion      Tuesday, Oct. 12 from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Mental Health First Aid training helps a person with no clinical training assist someone experiencing a mental health crisis. Mental Health First Aiders learn a 5-step strategy to assess and support someone in crisis. Taking this training can help you feel more confident and prepared to help a friend, colleague or loved one in need. 


5 Reasons Why Retreating Will Change Your Life

 Brie Doyle, Author and Denise Alderson, Recreation Services      Tuesday, Oct. 12 from 11 to 11:50 a.m.

If you want to live an extraordinary life, one in which your heart, mind, and spirit are in sync, you have to make space for your soul. You have to leave, in order to come back to yourself. Explore how getting away can help you reconnect with yourself, ease stress in your life and bolster further creativity upon your return.

View the full presentation schedule

Relationships and community focus

Here are a few presentations that will cover topics related to relationships:

Relationships and community focus

Here are a few presentations that will cover topics related to relationships:

Developing Skills for De-escalation

 Colin Johnson, Student Conduct & Conflict Resolution      Wednesday, Oct. 13 from 10 to 10:50 a.m.

The Conflict Resolution program, provided by the Student Conduct & Conflict Resolution office, gives participants an opportunity to explore the factors that influence conflict escalation. In this interactive session, participants will have the chance to practice skills and strategies to de-escalate challenging situations (a crucial first step in conflict management).


Love Shouldn't Hurt: A Workshop on Abuse in Relationships

 Elizabeth Wilmer, Office of Victim Assistance      Thursday, Oct. 14 from 10 to 10:50 a.m.

This workshop will provide an overview of intimate partner abuse (IPA), with an emphasis on increasing awareness and understanding of domestic violence, exploring its impact and empowering both survivors and secondary victims (those who support people with abusive partners) with knowledge of their rights, options and resources.


Individuality is the Key to Belonging

 Shelley Brown, Author and Mindfulness Educator      Wednesday, Oct. 13 from 11 to 11:50 a.m.

Individuality is the key to belonging. In order to amplify belonging for others, we first need to have agency over our own sense of belonging. I invite audiences to consider mindfulness practices that are easy to implement and to remember. These practices serve as the foundation of self-awareness and a framework to disrupt the patterns and thinking that get in the way of our experience of belonging.


Reconnecting with Indigenous Culture on Campus During COVID

 Ben Ototivo, Counseling and Psychiatric Services      Wednesday, Oct. 13 from 10 to 10:50 a.m.

Connecting with our held identities has profound impacts on our mental well-being. During this discussion, we will explore ways indigenous communities have sought to maintain their connection with culture during the pandemic and identify ways we can support action here on campus.

View the full presentation schedule

COVID-19 and beyond

Here are a few presentations that discuss the ongoing pandemic and how it has changed the way we live, work and relate to one another

COVID-19 and beyond

Keynote: Evolution of Vaccine Technologies: From Smallpox to COVID-19

 Dr. Leonard Friedland, Vice President, Director Scientific Affairs and Public Health, GSK Vaccines      Thursday, Oct. 14 from 9 to 9:50 a.m.

Immunizations have been around for over a century, so why is the science behind the COVID-19 vaccines controversial? Learn more about the history and evolution of vaccine technologies and what questions to ask if you are unsure if you need an immunization.


Keynote: Love your work and you’ll never work a day in your life…if that catchy phrase doesn’t resonate with you, switch the narrative and explore how to create more professional energy

 Ramsay Ringo, Career and Leadership Coach      Wednesday, Oct. 13 from 9 to 9:50 a.m.

Instead of feeling as if work is happening to you, be aware of and energize who you are at work. Explore some of the professional lies we are told, hear stories of zombie workers coming back to life and learn about tools and strategies for your own professional regeneration.


Managing Transitions: Effective Tools and Strategies for Stress During Change

 Carla Eugene, LPC and Esther Horowitz, Faculty and Staff Assistance Program      Wednesday, Oct. 13 from 10 to 10:50 a.m.

Join counselors from the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FSAP) for a workshop to learn stress reduction and resiliency building techniques for managing transitions and significant change.

View the full presentation schedule

In-person activities

Register for the Health and Wellness Summit to enjoy a variety of free, in-person events and activities throughout the week of the event!

Rec Center activities

 Tuesday, Oct. 12 to Friday, Oct. 15

Enjoy free entry, fitness classes, ice skating and bouldering at the Rec Center. Faculty and staff will receive a half-price discount code for a future one-month membership by registering for the Health and Wellness Summit (expires Jun. 30, 2022).

Buff OneCard required.

Immunization clinics

​ Oct. 12, 14 and 15 from 1 to 3 p.m.

Wardenburg Health Center will be providing free drop-in immunizations to all CU Boulder students, staff and faculty during the Health and Wellness Summit. Free immunizations will include flu, COVID-19, meningitis and MMR (measles, mumps and rubella).

Mental Health Is… Looking out for yourself and others

​ Tuesday, Oct. 12 from 1 to 3 p.m.

Join us to learn about how you can take care of yourself and fellow Buffs. We'll also have a vape take-back event with prizes for those who turn in their vapes for good! Additional activities will include acupuncture, bystander training, meditative coloring, massage and much more!

Take Care Street Fair

​ Friday, Oct. 15 from 1 to 3 p.m.

Join us for a celebration of all things health and wellness during Family Weekend! This event will feature live music, nutrition information and healthy snacks, acupuncture and aromatherapy, succulents, dogs and much more!

Physical Wellness Day at Sewall Field

​ Thursday, Oct. 14 from 1 to 3 p.m.

Join Health and Wellness Services for a variety of activities to improve your physical fitness and well-being at Sewall Field by the Rec Center. Activities include a walking labyrinth, music, lawn games and yoga classes.