Education & Outreach

Community Education and Outreach
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) offers psychoeducational services to the campus community focused on mental health awareness and prevention efforts, as well as group-level support and response to critical events affecting the campus community.
Begin Here: Free, always-available webinars that answer your most common questions
- Red Folder: Helping Students Experiencing Distress
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Students may experience different levels of distress across various areas of their lives. The type and amount of distress they are experiencing will require different actions and resources. The Red Folder initiative is a guide to help faculty, staff, student leaders, and others who interact with students to recognize, respond effectively to, and refer Penn State students in distress.
Reviewing the Red Folder website and the Red Folder Toolkit to supplement the webinar is recommended.
- CAPS Services and Common FAQ
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A panel of CAPS staff explain our services, demystifying CAPS resources, and helping you be a supportive presence for students.
Reviewing CAPS Wellness and Clinical Services before watching the webinar is recommended.
On behalf of CAPS, join Jason Kilmer, Ph.D. for a dynamic dialogue about weed and wellness. How does weed affect sleep? What are the effects of cannabis use on attention and memory? What about anxiety? Join us to learn these answers and bring your own questions for Dr. Kilmer too!
Awareness and Prevention Outreach Events
CAPS provides and participates in regularly scheduled events throughout the year. Before requesting an event, review the list below to see if your group may benefit from engaging in any of these scheduled programs. Dates and registration instructions will be updated as they become available.
Summer Events
- New Student Orientation
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Throughout Summer Months
CAPS and other Student Affairs offices are eager to help you prepare for your first year with Penn State! Find us at the HUB throughout New Student Orientation.
- CAPS Services & Common FAQ: Campus Leader Mental Health Orientation
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Early August 2023
Join a panel of CAPS staff explaining our services, demystifying CAPS resources, and helping you be a supportive presence for other students.
Reviewing CAPS Wellness and Clinical Services is strongly recommended before attending.
Fall Events
- The Red Folder: Helping Students Experiencing Distress
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Early September 2023
This is an open invitation intended for all members of the community, including students, faculty, staff, and caregivers. Join a presentation panel of CAPS staff addressing how to recognize and respond to students in distress, as well as referral resources across the campus communities.
Students may experience different levels of distress across various areas of their lives. The type and amount of distress they are experiencing will require different actions and resources. The Red Folder initiative is a guide to help faculty, staff, student leaders, and others who interact with students to recognize, respond effectively to, and refer Penn State students in distress.
Reviewing the Red Folder before attending is strongly recommended.
View a recording of the 2022 webinar.
- Graduate Student Welcome/Welcome Back Resource Fair
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August 2023
Calling all grad students! Whether you're new to campus or you're returning for the new semester, join us and other campus partners to see what resources, supports, and offerings are available to enrich your wellbeing and experience this year.
- Residence Life Carnival
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August 2023 | East Halls
Join us alongside other campus partners at the Residence Life East Halls Resource Carnival to educate first-year students about campus resources during the first week of classes.
- Living in One Neighborhood (LION) Bash
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September 2023 | Tables usually near the Allenway and Municipal buildings on Allen Street
A combination of a resource fair and block party: the ultimate town and gown experience. Come by our table to learn about CAPS services and our commitment to the community.
- Parents & Families Weekend
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September 30, 2023 | Student Health Center
A weekend for students, families, and caregivers. Come by our table at the Student Health Center to learn about CAPS services, as well as local resources that may best support students in their college transition.
Reviewing CAPS Wellness and Clinical Services is strongly recommended.
- Talk Saves Lives: A Brief Introduction to Suicide Prevention
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Fall 2023 Dates TBD | Also see Spring Dates below
A brief introduction to suicide prevention on behalf of Penn State CAPS, hosted by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter.
Suicide can be prevented. This presentation will cover what we know about this leading cause of death, the most up-to-date research on prevention, and what we can all do to fight suicide. Participants will learn the common risk factors for
suicide, how to spot the warning signs in others, and how to keep ourselves, our loved ones and those in our community safe.Learn more at AFSP Talk Saves Lives.
Spring Events
- Equity and Inclusion Carnival
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January 13, 2023 | 2-4:00 p.m. | First Floor HUB
The Equity & Inclusion Winter Carnival will celebrate and affirm the diversity of the Penn State student body, while providing an opportunity to connect students to campus resources, student organizations, and their like-minded peers. In addition to informative engagement stations hosted by university departments, the carnival will feature entertainment and inflatable activities, food, music, and student performances.
- Talk Saves Lives
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February 28, 2023 | 7- 8:00 p.m.
Join via Zoom (no pre-registration required)
A brief introduction to suicide prevention on behalf of Penn State CAPS, hosted by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter.
Suicide can be prevented. This presentation will cover what we know about this leading cause of death, the most up-to-date research on prevention, and what we can all do to fight suicide. Participants will learn the common risk factors for
suicide, how to spot the warning signs in others, and how to keep ourselves, our loved ones and those in our community safe.Learn more at AFSP Talk Saves Lives.
- From Memory Effects to the "Munchies:" The Science of Cannabis
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March 28, 2023 | 7-8:00 p.m.
Join via Zoom (no pre-registration required)
On behalf of CAPS, join Jason Kilmer, Ph.D. for a dynamic dialogue about weed and wellness. How does weed affect sleep? What are the effects of cannabis use on attention and memory? What about anxiety? Join us to learn these answers and bring your own questions for Dr. Kilmer too!
- HUB Takeover for Campus Pride Month
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April 2023
April is Penn State's Campus Pride Month! Find us at the HUB during this exquisite celebration of community and identity.
- Talk Saves Lives
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April 26, 2023 | 7- 8:00 p.m.
Join via Zoom (no pre-registration required)
A brief introduction to suicide prevention on behalf of Penn State CAPS, hosted by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter.
Suicide can be prevented. This presentation will cover what we know about this leading cause of death, the most up-to-date research on prevention, and what we can all do to fight suicide. Participants will learn the common risk factors for
suicide, how to spot the warning signs in others, and how to keep ourselves, our loved ones and those in our community safe.Learn more at AFSP Talk Saves Lives.
- Out of the Darkness Walk
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April 30, 2023 | Sidney Friedman Park | 11:00 a.m. (walk starts at noon)
CAPS is a proud sponsor of the Centre County Out of the Darkness Walk, hosted by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, raising awareness and support for suicide prevention and research. You can annually find our provider resource table at this event of community, celebration, and remembrance. See you there!
Did you know...
...there are multiple wellness outreach options offered at Penn State?! Our partners at Health Promotion and Wellness also offer health education workshops! Program topics include:
- Resilience, Mindfulness and General Well-being
- Stress Less
- Got Sleep?
- Alcohol Workshop
- Mission: Nutrition
- Safer Sex Party
- How to Help a Friend with an Eating Disorder
- Health and Wellness Services and Resources at Penn State
Health Promotion and Wellness workshops are delivered by staff or trained peer educators (based on topic). Schedule through Health Promotion and Wellness to learn more or email promotinghealth@psu.edu!
- Outreach Event Inquiries
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If you are requesting urgent support for a group of students affected by a significant event on campus or in the community, please contact Dr. Stephanie Stama (slf245@psu.edu).
Community collaboration and effective education is a priority. If another resource can best fit your needs, CAPS will help refer and connect you. All requests must come via the Outreach Request Form in order to be processed. Do not send direct requests to CAPS staff.
During peak clinical times, CAPS staff may be unable to fulfill requests. Events will not be scheduled during the last week of classes and finals week.
How to make an outreach request:
Before requesting an event...
- Step 1: Review options: Review the options at the top of this page to see if a pre-existing program or video viewing would suit the needs of your group, including self-paced videos on the following topics:
- Step 2: Identify your date range:
- Submit your request at least three weeks prior to the event.
- During peak clinical times CAPS may be unable to fulfill requests.
- CAPS generally pauses engagement in outreach events 2 weeks before the end of the semester.
- Step 3: Identify a host: If you (the requesting party) are unable to be present at the time of the event/presentation, plan to have a proxy in attendance. The representative elected should be in a leadership role and not an intended audience member. For example, if the president of an organization is unable to be present, another board member would be a reasonable proxy.
- Step 4: Confirm expected attendance: Please confirm the number of audience members that will be present prior to the event. If you are unable to guarantee attendance, we are happy to discuss a number of other options that may be feasible alternatives to better meet the needs of this group, including Life Hack Kits, the CAPS Virtual Library, and upcoming events where CAPS will be present.
- Step 5: Submit a request: If your event meets all of the above criteria, please complete our Outreach Request Form. Do not send direct requests to staff persons at CAPS. All requests must be received via the Outreach Request Form in order to be processed.
- Media Interview Inquiries
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CAPS accepts interview requests from established media outlets in an effort to inform the community about mental health. All requests must come via the Outreach Request Form in order to be processed. Do not send direct requests to CAPS staff.
During peak clinical times, CAPS staff may be unable to fulfill requests. Interviews will not be scheduled during the last week of classes and finals week.
How to make an interview request:
Before requesting an interview...- Step 1: Review options: Review the Outreach and Education Resources listed below to see if your questions can most effectively or efficiently be answered by another entity.
- Step 2: Identify your deadline: Requests must be made with at least one week advance notice.
- Step 3: Be informed: Become familiar with the CAPS website and pre-recorded webinars for information about our services, including:
- Step 4: Familiarize with best practices for reporting on suicide and mental health:
- Step 5: Know what to expect:
- Interviews are conducted with a CAPS staff member knowledgeable in the subject requested
- Depending on staff availability within your deadline, responses may only be available via email
- If another resource can best fit your needs, CAPS will help refer and connect you
- It is common practice for CAPS staff to request, prior to publishing, to review their quotes, areas where they are named and summarized, and areas where CAPS is named to help your story be as accurate as possible
- Once published, please send the link to the article or broadcast to the staff you interviewed
- Step 6: Prepare to outline the following on the "Other Information" section of the Outreach Request Form. This information is necessary for processing your request:
- The name of the media outlet or broadcast program where the story will be published/broadcast
- The premise, aim, and purpose of the story you are reporting on
- Other individuals with whom you have spoken for this story
- Other individuals you intend to speak with for this story
- Questions you will be asking (we understand that follow up questions will arise)
- Step 7: Complete the Outreach Request Form
- Remember to clearly outline the above 5 items on the "Other Information" section for the requested to be processed.
Looking to interview a mental health professional for a class assignment?
We invite you to attend an upcoming event to have your questions answered (see the Fall, Spring, and Summer schedules at the top of this page for details on events where CAPS staff are present). There are also a variety of sources on campus and in the local community who can help and are listed on the Outreach & Education Resources list below. If questions remain after corresponding with these sources, class interview requests may be submitted for consideration on a case-by-case basis via the Outreach Request Form. Review the above interview guidelines before proceeding.
Outreach and Education Resources
- Center for Collegiate Mental Health (CCMH) - Practice-Research-Network (PRN) focused on providing accurate and up-to-date information on the mental health of today’s college students, including a blog series on the impact of COVID-19 on student mental health. Data on mental health issues among college students, as well as considerations commonly addressed by campus counseling centers, can also be found in the annual reports and by using the Data Navigator tool.
- Penn State Student Affairs – Offices and units aligned with supporting student functioning and success.
- Penn State Health & Wellness - Penn State offers a variety of resources to support student health and wellness, including University Health Services, Campus Recreation, Health Promotion and Wellness, and more.
- Faculty and Researchers – Multiple Penn State academic departments with specialists focusing on mental health, including Psychology, Biobehavioral Health, and Human Development and Family Studies.
- Local Providers and Organizations – Centre County, PA is home to multiple foundations, organizations, and private practitioners addressing mental health concerns.
- Jana Marie Foundation
- Centre Helps and other organizations within the Centre County United Way
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention of Eastern PA
- Center for Community Resources of Centre County
- UPUA Resource Center
- Penn State student organizations focused on mental health
- ThrivingCampus
- Psychology Today
- CAPS Wellness Services - Our Virtual Library, Life Hack Kits, and WellTrack Boost are interactive knowledge bases that answer commonly asked questions.
- The CAPS Chronicle Newsletter - stay up to date with tips, services, and events.
- PsycInfo - primary database for international literature in psychology and related disciplines
- American Association of Suicidology
- PsychCentral
- Ginger Roots
- National Eating Disorder Association
- National Institute of Mental Health
- National Alliance on Mental Illness
The CAPS Chronicle:
Stay up to date on the most recent tools, tips, and events with The CAPS Chronicle!
