It is a common mistake to believe that a young, active college student, such as yourself, is completely immune to health consequences and illness. I've heard students react to issues ranging from sleep deprivation to testicular cancer with a "that will never happen to me" attitude. However, these issues are likely to affect your friends, classmates, family and, believe it or not, you. It's important to be aware of the health concerns that affect our age group, and that's where we can H.E.L.P. you. H.E.L.P., or the Health Education Leadership Program, is a student organization that serves the Brandeis community by addressing college health issues, including alcohol and drug use, fitness, nutrition and stress and time management. We focus on the topics that are most relevant and beneficial to Brandeis students, for instance how to eat a balanced diet in the dining halls or how to cope with the pressure of finals.

But H.E.L.P. isn't your average health education club (so put those thoughts of high school gym classes out of your mind). We put our own fun and original twist on the issues. Through our unique and interactive programs, we hope to make students think about the many facets of their wellness and take active steps toward a healthier, balanced lifestyle.

A prime example is the Alternative Health Fair, which will be held on Nov. 4 in the Shapiro Campus Center Atrium. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the area will be filled with unusual sights and sounds: an acupuncturist meticulously inserting needles tipped with incense, the pounding rhythm of hand drums and students demonstrating the art of Tai Chi. This will be the third annual Alternative Health Fair, an event that introduces students to non-Western and unconventional approaches to wellness.

As I attend this event each year, I am amazed by the wide array of diverse approaches to health and balance. I am always surprised to learn that diseases that I associated with strictly conventional medicine, such as asthma and diabetes, can be alleviated with acupuncture and herbal medicine.

This event is not only a forum for education about alternative health, but also a rare opportunity to experience it firsthand. If you're feeling stressed or anxious (feelings all too familiar as midterms drag on), you can experiment with yoga, meditation, aromatherapy and other relaxation techniques. These approaches may have been completely unknown to you previously, and can now become healthy alternatives that you can implement in your daily life. Even if you don't have a specific health-related problem, the Alternative Health Fair can teach you techniques to optimize and maintain your physical, mental, and spiritual wellness.

Featured guests will include Lillian Sober-Ain, Ph.D., a specialist in drumming for health and transformation, Gary Morrison, massage therapist, Dawn Skop, yoga and meditation instructor, and many more.

Now that you know all about H.E.L.P. and its important mission, we'd love to have your H.E.L.P. (sorry the pun is too easy)! Our organization is striving to get our messages heard and increase our presence on campus. By joining H.E.L.P., you'll have the opportunity to voice your concerns about wellness on campus and use your creativity to design programs that will greatly benefit our community. Please join us at our meetings on Thursdays, from 8 to 9 p.m. in room 314 of the Shapiro Campus Center.