The Health Unit at Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) recently held its annual Health Fair in collaboration with Student Services, DkIT’s Healthy Campus group and the Students' Union.

The day kicked off with Park, Walk and Talk, where staff and students met at DkIT Sport and walked up to campus, before having a nutritious breakfast.

The fair included a range of different stands and activities such as health checks, sexual health demonstrations, basic CPR training and fitness challenges. DkIT’s very own culinary students were even on hand to provide samples of their healthy cuisine, treating attendees to a delicious curry dish, while health and nutrition students had a range of tasty treats on offer.

There was also the opportunity to receive a body composition analysis from DkIT’s nutrition students

Health and Physical Activity Students were on hand to encourage sign ups to DkIT’s upcoming 10k as well as some exciting hikes that have been planned. They also conducted fitness testing for staff and students and ran a bike fitness challenge on the day.

It was fantastic to have local community garda Darragh Prior, Olivia McGeough from Sexual Health HSE and Mark Garvey from Quit HSE to share their knowledge and insights with our staff and students.

The event concluded with a talk by special guest Mary Hulgraine who shared her story of going to America as a basketball sports scholar, to then developing an oxycontin addiction and becoming homeless.  Mary won an LGFA all-star in 2016 and is the current Kildare LGFA goalkeeper. She is an advocate for overcoming addiction and mental health through physical health and faith.

Trish Smyth, Student Health Unit Nurse said:

"This year's Health Fair was a great success thanks to the collaboration between Student Services, DkIT’s Healthy Campus, the Students' Union, and, most importantly, our students. It was inspiring to see so many engaged in key health topics like physical, mental, sexual, and digital health. The guest speaker's powerful story of overcoming addiction and mental health challenges through physical health was a highlight. We are incredibly grateful for everyone’s support in making this a memorable event, and we can’t wait to see what next year brings!"