CAPS Virtual Library

Note: While many of these videos address COVID-19, the messages and materials can be broadly applied to coping with change and transition.

Coping During COVID-19: Make a Plan

Discusses common reactions to stressful situations and how to make a good plan for coping well during this time. (2:52)

Tolerating Distress during COVID-19

How Dialectical Behavioral Therapy can help with feelings of distress. Find this helpful? Review our Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills video section. (1:41)

Grief and Loss in a Pandemic World

Strategies for coping with the grief and loss we may experience as COVID-19 changes the world around us. (3:02)

Tips for Coping with Loss

Tips for dealing with loss during COVID-19. (1:32)

Drug and Alcohol Use During COVID-19

Using alcohol and other drugs can be tempting during stressful times. This video discusses short-term vs. long-term outcomes of alcohol and drug use along with helpful alternatives. (2:58)

Belonging: Campus Connection

Coming to a large campus can be overwhelming. It can be helpful to identify and work toward goals in order to make meaningful connections and feel more at home. In this 10-minute video, CAPS clinician Jason offers ideas for increasing your belonging and creating authentic connections. (10:23)

The Four Basics of Self-Care

A checklist of four areas on which we can focus to take good care of ourselves. (0:44)

Self-Care Simplified

Feel like your self-care routine could be better? This simple exercise will help you care for yourself more effectively. (5:15)

Five Tips for Better Sleep

 Dr. Szczesny, who specializes in sleep concerns, describes best ways to get a good night's sleep. (2:37)

Black College Student Mental Health

In this video learn about the role of stigma, intergenerational trauma, and resilience on black college student mental health. The video ends with guidance through a 5-step process for moving through pain. (4:24)

The Four Basics of Self-Care

A checklist of four areas on which we can focus to take good care of ourselves. (0:44)

Grounding: Bringing Peace to the Present

Restoring balance through three easy grounding techniques that can be done today. (2:39)

One Minute Scribble

An exercise to get your thoughts and feelings of stress and anxiety onto paper so you can move forward with more calm in your day. (5:06)

Grounding: Bringing Peace to the Present

Restoring balance through three easy grounding techniques that can be done today. (2:39)

One Minute Scribble

An exercise to get your thoughts and feelings of stress and anxiety onto paper so you can move forward with more calm in your day. (5:06)

Grounding: Bringing Peace to the Present

Restoring balance through three easy grounding techniques that can be done today. (2:39)

The Four Basics of Self-Care

A checklist of four areas on which we can focus to take good care of ourselves. (0:44)

Belonging: Campus Connection

Coming to a large campus can be overwhelming. It can be helpful to identify and work toward goals in order to make meaningful connections and feel more at home. In this 10-minute video, CAPS clinician Jason offers ideas for increasing your belonging and creating authentic connections. (10:23)

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Introduction and Distress Tolerance

Part one of a four-part series. This is an introduction to DBT and provides helpful strategies for tolerating strong emotions. (5:42)

Mindfulness

Part two of a four-part series. Mindfulness is a skill that helps us be in the present moment and tolerate distressing emotions. Learn several mindfulness strategies here. (5:23)

Interpersonal Effectiveness

Part three of a four-part series. Learn three basic skill areas for building and maintaining healthy relationships with others. (4:06)

Emotional Regulation

Part four of a four-part series. Emotional regulation outlines ways to let our emotions inform, but not control, our behaviors and lives. (5:42)

What You May Not Know About Cannabis

Cannabis use has really changed recently. Even if folks are familiar with it, there are some things that may surprise you! Learn more about effects on sleep, focus, mood management, and more. (6:35)

Drug and Alcohol Use During COVID-19

Using alcohol and other drugs can be tempting during stressful times. This video discusses short-term vs. long-term outcomes of alcohol and drug use along with helpful alternatives. (2:58)

Belonging: Campus Connection

Coming to a large campus can be overwhelming. It can be helpful to identify and work toward goals in order to make meaningful connections and feel more at home. In this 10-minute video, CAPS clinician Jason offers ideas for increasing your belonging and creating authentic connections. (10:23)

Podcast: The Mental Essentials | Episode 1: How Do I Social Again?

How do we return to a daily life in person in a world still deep in a global pandemic? This episode covers the basics of reengaging with daily life. Covering the challenges of daily interactions and socializing in an ever-changing world and what we can do about it.

Brought to you by Penn State University’s Center for Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), this podcast is a dissection into personal narratives, biases, and identities, as well as takeaway information about common mental health experiences of college students. 

Podcast: The Mental Essentials | Episode 2: Between You and Me

This week we look at ways to assert what we want and need from others, how to validate our needs in significant relationships, and how to get what we deserve from our interactions.

Brought to you by Penn State University’s Center for Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), this podcast is a dissection into personal narratives, biases, and identities, as well as takeaway information about common mental health experiences of college students.