Education & Outreach

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.

August 2, 2022  |  1 - 2:00 p.m.  |  Zoom

• Register now!
• Send questions prior to the event

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 2021 program.

Late August |  In Person

One of the best opportunities to get involved in campus life at Penn State. Come by our table to learn about CAPS services.

September 8, 2022  |  1 - 2:00 p.m.  |  Zoom

An open invitation intended for all members of the community, including students, faculty, staff, and caregivers.

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. 

Reviewing the Red Folder before attending is strongly recommended.

View a recording of the most recent event.

August 25, 2022  |  2-5:00 p.m.  |  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  |  In Person

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.

October 19, 2022  |  4 - 5:00 p.m.

Have an upcoming interview or assignment about mental health? Generally curious about what we offer? Bring your questions: CAPS staff will be available to answer them! 

Questions submitted in advance will be given priority.

Reviewing CAPS Wellness and Clinical Services is strongly recommended before attending.

October 7-9, 2022  |  In Person

A weekend for students, families, and caregivers. Come by our table to learn about CAPS services, as well as local resources that may best support your student in their college transition.

Reviewing CAPS Wellness and Clinical Services is strongly recommended before attending.

Spring 2023 Date to be announced

Have an upcoming interview or assignment about mental health? Generally curious about what we offer? Bring your questions: CAPS staff will be available to answer them! 

Questions submitted in advance will be given priority.

Reviewing CAPS Wellness and Clinical Services is strongly recommended before attending.

April 2023

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

April 2023

Take Back the Night is an annual event to support the voices of individuals who have experienced interpersonal violence and sexual assault, hosted by Lambda Theta Alpha. 

April 2023

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.

Community collaboration and effective education is a priority. If another resource can best fit your needs, CAPS will help refer and connect you.

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.

All outreach events have moved to a Zoom-based format until further notice. Recording is not permitted. 

Criteria for outreach events include:

• Review options: Before requesting an event, 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 event recordings on the following topics:
  • CAPS Services and Common FAQ
  • Red Folder/Helping Students in Distress 
• Advance notice: Submit your request at least two weeks prior to the event. 
• Dates: 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.
• Your attendance: 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 may not be an intended audience member. For example, an instructor should not request that one of their students be enacted as their representative; however, a TA would be a feasible proxy. 
• Audience confirmation: 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 and the CAPS Virtual Library.
• Outreach Request Form completion: 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 come via the Outreach Request Form in order to be processed. 

Not sure what you're looking for? Common topics include:

• Transition and Coping
• Distress & Emotion Management
• Self-Compassion
• Relationships, Boundaries, & Communication
• Anxiety Management
• Imposter Phenomenon 

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).

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.

Guidelines for Media Interview Inquiries:

• Prior to requesting an interview, journalists and reporters are expected to review:
  • The CAPS website,
  • Events and recordings listed at the top of this page (including Q&A with CAPS), and
  • Outreach and Education Resources list below. 
• Requests must be made with at least one week advance notice.
• 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.
• Interviews are conducted with a CAPS staff member knowledgeable in the subject requested.
• Depending on the availability of the staff member within your deadline, interviews may only be available via email response.
• If another resource can best fit your needs, CAPS will help refer and connect you.
• When completing the Outreach Request Form, please include your deadline and interview questions in the "Description" section.

Looking to interview a mental health professional for a class assignment?

We invite you to attend an upcoming Q&A with CAPS event to have your questions answered (see the schedule at the top of this page for details). There are also a variety of sources on campus and in the local community who can help; please review the Outreach & Education Resources list below. If questions remain after corresponding with these sources, 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.