May is Mental Health Awareness Month so it is important to take a moment to check in and make sure you're prioritizing your mental health during this busy time of year!

It's important to be proactive about your mental wellbeing and ensure that you have a plan to take care of yourself. According to the JED Foundation, a nonprofit that aims to protect the emotional wellbeing of young adults, there are a few key considerations to keep in mind when making a plan to take care of your emotional wellbeing. They include three core elements:

Create a circle of care. Identify the folks you can lean on when things get tough or you can check in with on a regular basis. Make a pact with those trusted individuals that you'll reach out if you're having a hard time. 

Engage in self-care activities. Fostering a deep and intentional connection with yourself is key in taking care of your mental wellbeing. One way to foster that connection is engaging in self-care activities. There are some self-care activities that can help get there, such as: journaling, fostering deep social connections, practicing mindfulness, getting enough sleep each night, spending time outside everyday, and eating healthful meals. 

Identify professional supports. Mental health professionals are available to help. There are a few different options from UChicago Student Wellness to be aware of: 
- Schedule an appointment with one of our therapists by calling 773-834-9355
- Take advantage of teletherapy services through TimelyCare, including TalkNow, scheduled counseling sessions, and psychiatric care.
- Contact the Therapist-on-Call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 773-702-3625.
- Walk into the Student Wellness Center at 840 E 59th Street.

Take a break from your end-of-year studies to see if you can master this Math Quiz. Good luck!

Take 10 is an initiative intended to encourage all members of the UChicago community to rest and connect with others. Join us to participate in Take 10 events from 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM across campus on odd-week Thursdays this quarter! We hope you drop by and take 10! 

Restorative yoga classes at UChicago Student Wellness will help ease tension and melt your worries away. Using props like blocks, bolsters, and blankets, you will relax into postures that are held for several minutes at a time. We use mindful breathing and meditation techniques that are sure to leave you calmer and more grounded than when you walked in the door. Join us at the Student Wellness Center on Tuesdays from 4-5 PM. 

20 Minute Still sessions allow you to take a moment to pause and join the Office of Spiritual Life for twenty minutes of facilitated meditation to still the mind. Twenty Minutes Still takes place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 8:00-8:20am in Bond Chapel.

Yoga Classes from Spiritual Life are offered in both a virtual and in-person modalities on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays during Winter Quarter. Check out the most updated yoga offerings here. 

Wellness Coaching allows students to examine their strengths with a wellness coach to navigate transitions and achieve desired changes they’d like to make in their lives. Interested students may schedule a 90-minute session with a Student Wellness coach or a 30-minute session with a TimelyCare wellness coach. Visit this page for more information.

Let's Talk provides easy access to free, informal, and confidential consultations with therapists from UChicago Student Wellness. No appointment is necessary. In-person sessions are held throughout Autumn Quarter on Mondays and Fridays. Let's Talk has more information.

Buddy Up offers graduate and professional students the opportunity to join a network of peers wanting to meet with students across campus. Students are paired up with a new buddy every two weeks. Students may register here or email Carolyn Banner at cbanner@uchicago.edu with questions.

Food Security Resources provide short-term support for students experiencing difficulties with food access. Please reach out if you or someone you know is worried about running out of food, skipping meals, etc. Graduate and Professional Students can contact Student Support Service studentsupport@uchicago.edu, and Undergraduate Students can contact the Center for College Student Success ccss@uchicago.edu. You can also apply for grocery vouchers here.

FitChicago offers an array of fitness opportunities for you seven days a week. Everything from foam roller classes to Zumba! Check out the Winter Quarter class offerings and schedule here.