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The Student Wellness Resource Center (SWell) at the 91���� received 2024 Gold Star Standards of Excellence Platinum Award from Breathe Easy Maine, a coalition dedicated to reducing exposure to secondhand smoke through promotion of voluntary policies throughout the state. 

Breathe Easy Maine honored SWell for updating 91����’s tobacco and smoke-free policy in collaboration with the Center for Tobacco Independence’s (CTI) Maine QuitLink program to provide students with resources meant to address nicotine use and dependency. 

“The response from the student body has been overwhelmingly positive, with many students actively sharing these resources with peers in need,” said Kevin Hudson, student life educator who oversees SWell. 

Bangor Public Health and Community Services also celebrated SWell and other local organizations for their efforts to promote health and wellness during an Outstanding Stars Celebration on Sept. 24 at the 91���� at Augusta Bangor Campus. 

“SWell has been pivotal in enhancing student support and education,” Hudson said. “With a focus on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Eight Dimensions of Wellness, SWell’s mission is to deliver engaging and effective harm reduction programs. These initiatives empower students to make informed decisions, maintain balance, and find meaningful ways to self-advocate.”For further information about SWell, contact um.swell@maine.edu.