Montana State University Continuing, Professional and Lifelong Learning will partner with local mental health professionals to offer two virtual panel discussions addressing pandemic-related stress and uncertainty. The panels will take place in April and are free and open to the public.
The panels will address some of the common difficulties affecting individuals during the coronavirus pandemic. They will offer tips and techniques for managing stress and mental health challenges, as well as provide advice for managing anxiety and adjusting to a new normal.
The first panel, “Managing Mental Health in the New Normal: Teachers and Parents,” will take place noon to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, April 7. The panel of mental health experts will offer mental health and stress management guidance for people working in education and parents with school-aged kids or younger.
The second panel, “Managing Mental Health in the New Normal: Working and Living,” will take place noon to 1 p.m. on Friday, April 23. It will address challenges of working and living during the pandemic, such as burnout from Zoom meetings, exhaustion from interacting with customers from behind masks and being out of work or retired.
Panelists include Alison Brennan, MSU Extension mental health specialist; Heidi Lester, MSU Extension kinship navigator program; Perrin Lundgren, Bozeman Help Center community educator; Laura Thum, MSU Counseling and Psychological Services; Tara Mastel, MSU Extension leadership development; and Katelyn Anderson, MSU Extension agent.
Advance registration is highly recommended but not required. Registration will close two hours before each event. For more information or to register, visit ato.montana.edu/calm. Upon registration confirmation, participants will receive an email with the Webex link and instructions to join the program. Registrants will also receive reminders the day before and day of the event.
For those who choose to view the panels without advance registration, visit ato.montana.edu/calm at least 20 minutes before the event begins to avoid last-minute access difficulties. For those who choose not to register in advance, Continuing, Professional and Lifelong Learning cannot help with access difficulties.
MSU Continuing, Professional and Lifelong Learning is a program of Academic Technology and Outreach at MSU. ATO works across the university to support and advance its land-grant mission through unique and innovative opportunities for outreach and engagement.
