UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — From stress to grief to addiction, understanding mental health is crucial when faced with difficult times, according to organizers of an upcoming Penn State Extension webinar series. The “Mental Wellness Series” will take place from noon to 1 p.m. Mondays from Oct. 30 to Dec. 4. This free, six-part series is designed for concerned citizens, family members, social workers, mental health workers, medical professionals, teachers and college students.
“Helping Others in Distress,” noon to 1 p.m. Oct. 30. In this webinar, extension educators will discuss how to help family, friends, co-workers and neighbors who are showing the signs and symptoms of distress. Participants can learn strategies to approach someone in distress and self-care tips to reduce stress in themselves and others.
“Emotional Overload,” noon to 1 p.m. Nov. 6. This session will cover self-help strategies to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression during stressful times. Attendees can learn about emotional overload; the difference between productive and unproductive stress; signs of anxiety and depression; types of cognitive distortions or “stinking thinking”; and how to practice self-directed cognitive behavioral therapy.
“Grief and Loss Every Day,” noon to 1 p.m. Nov. 13. This webinar looks at grief as a response to life transitions. Participants will learn to define and understand the stages of grief and develop skills to care for themselves and support others during difficult times.
“Understanding Addiction,” noon to 1 p.m. Nov. 20. Attendees can explore the science and the human story behind addiction. This webinar will provide a comprehensive definition of addiction, explore the intricate relationship between addiction and the brain, delve into the impact of addiction on mental health, and share personal stories of those affected by addiction.
“Fostering Mental Health in Youth,” noon to 1 p.m. Nov. 27. This session will focus on techniques for helping young people navigate difficult times and develop positive coping skills. Registrants can learn strategies for listening and responding to youth in supportive and empowering ways and skills for building resilience in youth during stressful times.
“Building Resilience,” noon to 1 p.m. Dec. 4. In this webinar, participants can learn how resilience relates to healthy coping, new skills for building one’s own resilience, and skills for applying information learned to at least one life situation or challenge.
Penn State Extension offers this series free of charge, but registration is required to receive the link to access the webinars. Registration deadlines vary, with most due the day before the webinar. Participants also will receive access to the webinar recordings.
More information about the series is available on the Penn State Extension website.