Wellness Week 2022 kicks off at Northeastern across its global campuses, bringing opportunities for students, faculty, staff, and parents to participate in holistic wellness and mental health activities. There are many events to choose from happening from March 21 to 27.

Sagar Rajpal, associate director and spiritual advisor for mindfulness and wellness at the university, spoke to News@Northeastern about the main focus for Wellness Week and what Northeastern hopes to offer people looking to take part in the program’s resources. 

“The main idea is to highlight the wellness resources on campus,” he says. “But also, to give students across the campus network opportunities to develop knowledge, skills, and behaviors necessary to live a balanced and fulfilling life.”

The university will offer in-person and virtual events that include yoga, meditation, social wellness, valued-based workshops, and spiritual advising that highlight the importance of self-care. 

“We take wellness more holistically than just mentally, physically, emotionally, or spiritually,” in a silo, Rajpal says. “We combined all of that.”

This week’s events are led by and organized in conjunction with Northeastern Global Campus Network, the Office of Prevention and Education, the Center for Spirituality, Dialogue and Service, and the University Health and Counseling Services.

Wellness resources across the network

24/7 mental health support

Find@Northeastern offers support and a resource line that helps people find themselves, gives peace of mind and offers a distinctive path. People will have the opportunity to speak with a licensed mental health counselor who will listen, provide guidance, and help set a plan in motion.

Please email open@northeastern.edu with any additional questions. OPEN staff monitor service request submissions and email Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5 PM, and will reply to requests as soon as possible.

Sexual Violence Resource Center

OPEN’s Sexual Violence Resource Center is for Northeastern students who have experienced sexual assault, sexual harassment, sexual exploitation or abuse, domestic/dating violence, and/or stalking.

Building Resilience Skills course

Resilience is a skill set that people can build and grow. This course through OPEN is designed to teach skills to build resilience in light of current challenging times. Students, faculty, and staff interested in enrolling in this course can access more information on OPEN’s online modules website.

Confidential resource advisor

The confidential resource advisor can provide students with free, confidential, non-judgmental, restorative, and trauma-informed services. To set up an appointment, email Kyla Martin at ky.martin@northeastern.edu. The CRA will be monitoring emails during business hours: Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET.

Alcohol and other drug check-ins

The confidential resource advisor can provide students with free, confidential, non-judgmental, restorative, and trauma-informed services. To set up an appointment, email These ‘check-ins’, provided by OPEN, are an opportunity for people to discuss alcohol or other drug use, receive personalized feedback, and develop strategies to help people make informed decisions.

Services are free, confidential, and non-judgmental. To learn more or schedule a meeting, email open@northeastern.edu.

Confidential spiritual advising

Northeastern has spiritual advisors that represent and serve diverse religious, spiritual, and atheist/humanist traditions. They are available to listen, offer advice, guidance, or a referral to other resources.

For more information or schedule an appointment email a.kern@northeastern.edu.

Northeastern Spiritual Life YouTube channel

Want to take part in meditation, wellness dialogue, or yoga classes? Subscribe to the Northeastern Spiritual Life YouTube channel and learn how to find happiness in times of uncertainty.

Boston campus events

Monday, March 21:

Are you looking to wind down and catch a few ‘ZZz’s? Look no further than Yoga Nidra, better known as “sleeping yoga,” held at the Sacred Space at 200 Ell Hall from 3 to 3:45 p.m. ET.

Tuesday, March 22:

Join bestselling author Rebecca Pacheco from 12 to 1 p.m. ET for “Springtime Stillness,” a talk and meditation chat that people can take part in life on the Northeastern Spiritual Life YouTube channel.

Wednesday, March 23:

Take part in a mindful break from your day by joining the Office of Prevention and Education’s Husky to Husky peer educators at Ell Hall from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. ET.

Come by Sacred Space at 200 Ell Hall from 6 to 7 p.m. ET for a dinner dialogue focused on wellness. Note: Dinner will be provided. Please remember to bring your NU ID to swipe in for the event.

Thursday, March 24:

Discuss and reflect upon Russia’s ongoing invasion into Ukraine with other Northeastern University students from 6 to 7 p.m. ET at 144 Curry Student Center or sign in virtually via Zoom – Meeting ID: 93099745519

Throughout the week in Boston

There will be guided meditation practices offered each day during Wellness Week at Sacred Space at 220 Ell Hall from 12 to 12:30 p.m.

Those with a sweet tooth can enjoy “Yoga & Yogurt” each day during Wellness Week at Sacred Space at 220 Ell Hall from 4 until 4:45 p.m.

Portland campus events

Tuesday, March 22:

Join in for some plant positivity hosted by the Roux Institute, where you will be provided supplies and a seed paper that you can write a positive note on and plant. The event will take place from 5 to 6 p.m. at the patio.

Wednesday, March 23:

Are you looking for a massage? You can have the opportunity to have a chair massage on the Portland, Maine campus. For those wishing to attend, the event is on a first-come, first-served basis and will happen from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Roux.

San Francisco campus events

Tuesday, March 22:

An in-person-only community dinner dialogue will take place with fellow students from 5 to 6 p.m. PT on the San Francisco campus in Room 19-E. The theme of the dinner focuses on holistic wellness, the practice of wellness across mind, body, and spirit. The event is hosted by Mindfulness Coordinator and Spiritual Advisors Bryoni Lawrence and K. Aishwarya Pillai. Note: Dinner will be provided. Space is limited to 15 students total, so register early. Please remember to bring your NU ID to swipe in for the event.

Wednesday, March 23:

Come by 20B Conference Room from 1 to 3 p.m. for some Northeastern merchandise and the opportunity to be offered spiritual advising by Bryoni Lawrence, mindfulness coordinator, and spiritual advisor.

Do you enjoy aromatherapy? Visit classroom 19-102 anytime from 4 to 5:30 p.m. PT to enjoy aromatherapy and make an essential-oil roller to bring home. Note: Please remember to bring your NU ID to swipe in for the event.

Seattle campus events

Tuesday, March 22:

Do you enjoy painting and planting? You’re in luck! Stop by building 225 on the 1st floor to take part in a painting and planting interactive event from 4 to 5:30 p.m. PT.

Wednesday, March 23:

Enjoy some much-needed puppy therapy by having the opportunity to pet therapy dogs at building 225 on the second floor from 2 to 4 p.m. PT.

Thursday, March 24:

Take advantage of the chance to bring home your essential oil roller by stopping by building 225 on the first floor from 4 to 5:30 p.m. PT.

Friday, March 25:

Have you ever been on a beautiful nature walk through a botanical garden? Look no further. Meet at the Japanese Botanical Garden at 1 p.m. PT to take a break and get some fresh air.

Silicon Valley campus events

Monday, March 21:

Visit the San Jose campus at 4 North’s 9th Floor Kitchen by adding how you practice wellness to Northeastern’s “Wellness Wall” whiteboard. Note: If you visit the whiteboard from 2 to 4 p.m. PT, you’ll have the chance to pick up a free snack bag.

After picking up that free snack, make sure you stop by for an in-person community dinner dialogue with fellow students in the San Jose campus, 75 East, WeWork Floor 10 Kitchen from 5 to 6 p.m. PT. The dinner’s theme will focus on the topic of holistic wellness, the practice of wellness across mind, body, and spirit. The event is hosted by Cici and Bryoni Lawrence, as well as K. Aishwarya Pillai. Note: Dinner will be provided. Space is limited to 15 students total, so register early. Please remember to bring your NU ID to swipe in for the event.

Tuesday, March 22:

Stop by the Welcome Center on the San Jose campus from 4:45 to 5:45 p.m. PT for a chance to grab a coffee or tea, and have the opportunity to review the benefits of drinking caffeine, as well as how to consume responsibly. Subject-matter expert (and Northeastern events coordinator) Megan Powell will be joining in on the discussion to share her expertise. Note: Please remember to bring your NU ID to swipe in for the event.

Wednesday, March 23:

Stop by the Welcome Center on the San Jose campus from 4:45 to 5:45 p.m. PT for a chance Get ready for a fun fitness and movement class that’s in-person at the San Jose Campus, 4 North building, and virtually via Microsoft Teams from 3:30 to 5 p.m. PT. The exercise class will be taught by student ambassador Priyanka Chandak. Note: Healthy snacks will be provided after the class. Please remember to bring your NU ID to swipe in for the event if you are coming in person.

Thursday, March 24:

Want more of a slower pace? Join a 45-minute yoga class either on the San Jose campus, 4 North in room 1032, or online via Microsoft Teams from 2 to 3 p.m. PT. The event is hosted by Mindfulness Coordinator and Spiritual Advisor Bryoni Lawrence. Note: Enjoy yogurt parfaits after class in person on the 10th Floor kitchen area. Please remember to bring your NU ID to swipe in for the event if you are coming in person.

Following yoga, visit the 1015 Huddle Space on the San Jose campus 4 North between 4 to 6 p.m. PT to grab some Northeastern swag and speak with Mindfulness Coordinator and Spiritual Advisor Bryoni Lawrence for spiritual advising office hours.

Friday, March 25:

Join Lawrence on the 10th Floor Open Space Lounge on the San Jose campus from 3:30 to 5 p.m. PT to practice mindfulness and create Mandala art to take home with you. Note: Please remember to bring your NU ID to swipe in for the event.

Toronto campus events

Monday, March 21:

Are Monday mornings always a bit rough for you? Take part in mindfulness practice to start your week off on the right foot. Join presenter Deniz Toker in-person in classroom 1 on the Toronto campus at 11 a.m. ET.

Tuesday, March 22:

Take part in this in-person workshop in classroom 2 or virtually from 3 to 4 p.m. ET. You’ll be able to discuss methods to help overcome loneliness on campus.

Wednesday, March 23:

It’s your time to shine! The Spotlight Arts & Cultural Club will be presenting a poetry and music showcase from 12 to 2 p.m. ET in-person on the 46th floor in classroom 5.

Thursday, March 24:

Stop by a mental health and wellness resources fair from 1 to 2 p.m. ET on the 46th floor in classroom 5 virtually via Microsoft Teams.

Friday, March 25:

Do you enjoy watching Pixar films? Come by classroom 1 for an in-person watch-a-thon and see Pixar’s “Encanto” and its latest film “Turning Red.” Movie night will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. ET.