Tec de Monterrey’s “Ruta del Cuidado” Fair: Student Health & Wellbeing Feb 2024
Students at the Tecnológico de Monterrey are gaining access to a new initiative designed to address the mounting pressures of academic life and promote overall well-being. The “Ruta del Cuidado” – or “Care Route” – is a multi-day event offering resources and workshops focused on physical, mental, and emotional health.
Addressing Student Needs
The Ruta del Cuidado will take place February 16-20 on the Monterrey campus, and February 23-27 at all other campuses. The program is a collaborative effort between TecMed, Mentoreo, and Bienestar Estudiantil, aiming to foster healthy habits and a comprehensive approach to prevention. According to Martín de la Cruz, LiFE leader for TecMed, the goal is to “promote the culture of caring for integral well-being with specific activities and actions, such as workshops, prevention-focused services, and the adoption of healthy lifestyles for a new way of life.”
Organizers recognize the multifaceted demands placed on students. Grecia Tovar, Gerente de Bienestar Estudiantil, emphasized that students “are not beings who only work or study; it is important to seek balance in different areas with tools that One can apply in different environments.” Developing these coping mechanisms and practicing daily self-reflection, she suggests, can lead to positive outcomes.
What to Expect
The Ruta del Cuidado isn’t simply an informational event. It’s designed to provide students with practical tools they can immediately implement to improve their overall well-being. Activities will focus on real-life challenges, including academic pressure, intense emotions, unhealthy habits, and the prevention of physical and mental risks.
Specific offerings in the area of emotional well-being include guided meditations for stress reduction, practical emotion management techniques, prevention programs for suicide and bullying, personal reflection exercises, and discussions on healthy habits. These activities are intended to be applicable in classrooms, at home, and in the workplace.
TecMed will also offer preventative detection spaces and medical guidance to support students’ physical health. These services include clinical analysis, consultations with specialists, basic medical orientation, and information on prevention and self-care.
A Sustainable Lifestyle
The Ruta del Cuidado emphasizes that well-being isn’t a one-time event, but a sustainable lifestyle. Students are encouraged to identify practices that fit their routines and address areas needing attention. Dr. Martín expressed the goal of the Ruta del Cuidado is for students to understand the importance of integral well-being – physical, mental, and emotional health, stating that health is “the balance between a good biopsychological and social status.”
For students in need of immediate support, the Línea TQueremos provides free emotional assistance 24/7 via phone and web (800 813 9500). Liderazgo y Formación Estudiantil (LiFE) supports student development through artistic, athletic, and counseling programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where will the Ruta del Cuidado take place?
The Ruta del Cuidado will be held February 16-20 on the Monterrey campus and February 23-27 at all other campuses.
What areas of well-being will be addressed?
The Ruta del Cuidado focuses on physical, mental, and emotional health, offering resources for academic pressure, emotional regulation, healthy habits, and risk prevention.
What is Línea TQueremos?
Línea TQueremos is a free, 24/7 emotional support service available to the Tecnológico de Monterrey community, accessible by phone and web (800 813 9500).
How might students best integrate the lessons of the Ruta del Cuidado into their daily lives beyond the event itself?