Oliver Batchilder is a third-year student in the Frank McKenna School of Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) with an interest in social and health public policy. After experiences working with the Public Health Association of New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island and with the HIV Legal Network in Toronto, Batchilder was eager to apply for the position of Mount Allison's Health and Wellness Intern. It was an opportunity to provide on-the-ground support and health advocacy within his own student community and to deepen his research and policy knowledge.

“I really enjoyed my internship this past year,” says Batchilder. “There were a lot of different parts to it. Certainly, one of the main responsibilities was running the Wellness Centre’s social media accounts, making sure that important health information was being shared with students, and communicating with students in a variety of other ways.”

Through social media, Batchilder shared Wellness Centre news and events, news from other on-campus organizations such as Navigate MtA and Mounties 4 Mental Health, and information from the province’s Horizon Health Network. Batchilder also made presentations at Orientation and Open House events, sharing with current and potential students information on the different health services and resources available.

“There are a lot of supports on campus and making sure those supports are articulated to students in a way that is clear and doesn’t overwhelm them is important,” says Batchilder, who also wrote a regular column on health and wellness issues in The Argosy student newspaper. “There are many ways to communicate health information to students and I think opportunities to do more and make sure health communication is a two-way conversation where students can respond.”

Batchilder appreciates the opportunity the internship has provided to conduct primary research and statistical analysis and to gain a better understanding of the social determinants of health. He collected statistical information about various clinics (flu shot, STI testing, etc.) offered at the Wellness Centre and compiled reports about uptake, outreach success, and other variables.

“Being able to do this type of research through the University has been really impactful,” says Batchilder. “The information that I found and recommendations that I have provided to Student Life and the Wellness Centre and other parts of the University are actually considered when improving programs and initiatives.”

The Health and Wellness Intern sits on campus-wide health related committees. Batchilder was actively involved with the Student Alcohol/Substance Use Advisory Committee, composed of students, faculty, and staff. The committee supports a harm-reduction approach to alcohol and substance use and a safe, responsible, and respectful environment at Mount Allison.

“Through that committee, I’ve started one of the things I’m most proud of from my role,” says Batchilder. “We’ve started putting together an alcohol use survey going out to students, looking to collect information about the habits of alcohol use at Mount Allison, the sources of where students get their alcohol from, the frequency of consumption, and information about students’ awareness of the supports on campus related to alcohol use that can allow us to identify where the gaps exist and make sure we can fill them. I’m really proud to have worked on this and think it will get us some really interesting information that will then help inform policy development on campus.”

Batchilder says the team hopes to send the survey out to students this fall. He will return as the 2024-25 Health and Wellness Intern, launching the survey and continuing much of his work from this past year. He also plans to conduct a new research project on the best ways to communicate public health information to university students.

The importance of looking at issues from a variety of perspectives, making decisions based on solid research and evidence, and communicating effectively are lessons Batchilder says he has very much come to understand through his work as Health and Wellness Intern and his studies in the PPE program. As a result, he is considering pursuing a Master of Public Health after graduation.

More stories of impact about health and wellness at Mount Allison can be found in our Meighen Centre and Supporting Student Health and Wellness Newsletter.