April is here which means you are in the home stretch before summer break! The outdoors may look a little more yellow than normal with all of the pollen but Health Initiatives (HI) has several programs and events to help you stay mentally and physically strong through the end of the semester. Check out everything happening in HI this April.   

Every year in April HI is dedicated to recognizing National Sexual Assault Awareness month with two signature events. The first is Take Back the Night on Monday, April 1st at 7 pm at the Campanile. This is an annual candlelight vigilance for survivors of sexual violence, intimate partner violence, and stalking. Come out and listen to the personal stories of those affected and show your support with a candlelight vigil. Following, this event is teal ribbon day on April 11th. Make sure to wear a teal ribbon to help paint Georgia Tech teal and show support of survivors. You can pick up a ribbon at the Health Initiatives office throughout the month. Go to healthinitiatives.gatech.edu/saam to learn more about these two events and locate ribbon pickup locations.

Did you know that every Monday at 4:00 p.m., Health Initiatives hosts mindful Mondays in the Student Center, Juniper Room? All students are welcome to drop in during the one-hour-long event to color or participate in guided mindfulness exercises. “Mindfulness is being awake in your current experience rather than dwelling on the past or anticipating the future,” said health educator Sarah Morales. “It helps alleviate the stress and anxiety you may be feeling as a college student.” No appointments or registration is needed for this event. The last date of the semester is April 22nd. For more information about the different resources we provide related to mindfulness, check out healthinitiatives.gatech.edu/mindfulness.

The last free HIV testing event of the semester is April 2nd. Getting tested is important to respect yourself and your partner(s). In addition, getting tested helps you to have open, honest, and accurate conversations with your sexual partner(s), which can deepen your relationship and intimacy. For more information about HIV testing check out healthinitiatives.gatech.edu/hiv.

Everyone is invited to the final two pet therapy dates of the semester on April 12th and April 24th. Pet therapy is a guided interaction for all members of the Georgia Tech community with trained (and really cute) dogs. “Interacting with therapy dogs has been proven to lower blood pressure, lower cortisol levels, and improve [your] sense of belonging,” said health educator Jocelyn Resnick. Find all dates and locations at healthinitiatives.gatech.edu/pet-therapy.

Have you taken the CliftonStrengths assessment? The CliftonStrengths assessment uncovers which talents you rely on to build relationships, think strategically, execute plans and influence others to accomplish goals. Find out how to use your strengths to your advantage at the Advanced Strengths workshop on April 15th from 11 a.m. to noon in the Student Center Room 322. This workshop is for both Georgia Tech employees and students who have already taken the assessment and know their top five strengths. Registration is preferred as spots are limited. Find out everything you need to know at healthinitiatives.gatech.edu/professional.

The last Ted Talk of the semester is April 2nd. This month we will be discussing the popular talk, The Danger of a Single Story by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie from 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. in the Student Center room 343.

We understand that Georgia Tech can be extremely busy and stressful, but taking time for yourself to relax and improve your mental health and well-being is more important than any assignment (yes, we said it). Take a small chunk out of your day and stop by one (or all) of these amazing programs—you won’t regret it! For a full list of programs and events go to healthinitiatives.gatech.edu.