The Counseling and Testing Center is sponsoring Taking Care Week 2020 with a variety of events across campus to help students engage in positive physical and mental health activities.

Dr. Juanita Martin, the Executive Director of the Counseling and Testing Center, said the idea of Taking Care Week started a little over 10 years ago after positive response to an interactive event during Eating Disorders Awareness Week.

“We therefore decided that we would hold an event the next year that would be expanded to include more of the campus community and one that focused not just on eating concerns but overall mental health and wellness,” Dr. Martin said.

This year, the series will begin with two events focused on “Taking Care of Yourself Emotionally” on Feb. 24, according to the Taking Care Week website.

These two events include the “Stress Management Fair” from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Jean Hower Taber Student Union piano lounge and the “Peace, Love, and Happiness” workshop from 1 to 2 p.m. in the student union room 316.

Then on Feb. 25, the Counseling and Testing Center has three events planned to assist students in taking physical care of themselves.

These include the “Health Screenings Fair” in the third floor atrium of Polsky from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; a cycling class in the Student Recreation and Wellness Center Studio B from noon to 12:45 p.m.; and a “Hardcore & HIIT Class” in rec center Studio A from 5:20 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.

Next, Feb. 26 is focused on taking care of others through creating get well cards and visiting with therapy dogs in Bierce Library from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., as well as an LGBTQ Ally Training Workshop from 9 a.m. to noon in the student union room 316.

There is only one event on Feb. 27. During the “Future Self Fair” in the student union piano lounge from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., students will be able to learn about preparing for their career and life after graduation.

Lastly, the two events on Feb. 28 include “S.A.D.” in the student union room 316 from 11 a.m. to noon, where students can learn about stress, anxiety and depression, with the “Link Between Mood and Food” event right after from 1 to 2 p.m.

Dr. Matthew Altiere, Senior Associate Director of the Counseling and Testing Center, said although he enjoys the entire week, the event he is most looking forward to is the get well cards because of students taking time to help others.

“In addition, we have had therapy dogs at this event over the past few years and it is fun to see the excitement on people’s faces when they get to spend a little bit of time petting a dog,” Dr. Altiere said.

Overall, students are encouraged to stop at as many events throughout the week in order to relieve stress during midterms and learn about taking care of one’s physical and mental health.

“It is important and okay to take care of yourself especially as a college student. It is not a selfish act. It helps you to function well and helps you to help others,” Dr. Martin said. “You need to allow yourself to have something in your own jug in order to pour into others.”