Education & Outreach

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.

View a recording of the 2022 webinar.

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.

View a recording of the 2022 webinar.

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.

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.

View a recording of the 2022 program.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

Learn more at the Student Engagement App Event Page

April 2023

April is Penn State's Campus Pride Month! Find us at the HUB during this exquisite celebration of community and identity.

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.

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!

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:
  • CAPS Services and Common FAQ webinar
  • Red Folder/Helping Students in Distress webinar (also review the Red Folder Toolkit)
  • CAPS Virtual Library
  • Life Hacks 
• 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. 

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:
  • CAPS Services and Common FAQ webinar
  • Red Folder/Helping Students in Distress webinar (also review the Red Folder Toolkit)
  • CAPS Wellness and Clinical Services 
• Step 4: Familiarize with best practices for reporting on suicide and mental health:
  • The Carter Center Journalism Resource Guide on Behavioral Health
  • Reporting on Suicide Prevention (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention)
  • Why Suicide Reporting Guidelines Matter (National Alliance of Mental Illness)
• 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:
  1. The name of the media outlet or broadcast program where the story will be published/broadcast
  2. The premise, aim, and purpose of the story you are reporting on
  3. Other individuals with whom you have spoken for this story
  4. Other individuals you intend to speak with for this story
  5. 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.