COVID-19 Virtual Education and Support Group offered to Hill County residents

Press release

A virtual education and support group will provide a space for people affected by stressors related to COVID-19. 

It is designed to facilitate connection amongst community members to give and receive support, while learning tips to help cope with stress.  People in isolation or quarantined are encouraged to attend for the social connection, but anyone in Hill County is welcome to participate.

This will not be group therapy, but will be facilitated by Montana State University-Northern counseling graduate students Ally Jones, Stacey Hansen and Jerry “Bud” Redfield and supervised by licensed counselor Amber Spring. The facilitators will guide the conversation amongst participants each week and deliver education regarding COVID-19 concerns and tips for managing stress.  The schedule for stress management topics is as follows:

Week 1, Nov. 9: Mindful Media

Doomscrolling negatively impacts stress levels and anxiety. Learn how to balance media time and what resources to utilize for credible information.

Week 2, Nov. 16: Compassion

For many, the uncertain times we are facing have brought up difficult emotions. Tools to help cope with those emotions will be shared and time will be provided for group members to share what has helped them.

Week 3, Nov. 23: Connection and Holidays

COVID-19 has changed the way we interact and are able to celebrate holidays and traditions with friends and family. Tips on staying connected will be shared.

Week 4, Nov. 30: Rest and Relaxation

Making time to relax and recharge are imperative to wellness and healing, information on self-soothing practices and improving sleep hygiene will be offered.

Week 5, Dec. 7: Surviving and Thriving

Work and home life; family and social life … everything has changed! How do you survive? Let alone thrive? Learn ways to keep things in perspective and focus on what you can control.

Week 6, Dec. 14: Making Healthy Choices

Personal choices impact mood, thoughts and behaviors. Tips will be provided to increase awareness of the effects of choices during stressful times.

Week 7, Dec. 21, and Week 8, Dec. 28: topics to be announced.

The group will meet via Zoom every Monday from 7:30-8:30 pm, beginning Nov. 9 and running through Dec. 28.  The group is “open,” meaning participants can join every week, just once, or as often as they prefer. Planning is underway to offer a group beginning in January as well. 

Registration is required and space may be limited depending on interest.  To receive the Zoom link and informational email, people should email [email protected] . There is no charge for participants, but the technology to support a video call is necessary — internet and a device with a microphone and video capability. 

Aa Facebook page is set up for this group at https://www.facebook.com/Hill-County-Covid19-Virtual-Education-Support-Group-102155375041347 .