Education & Outreach

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. 
• 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
• Relationship & Communication Skills
• Anxiety Management (including test anxiety)
• 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.