Iowa Ag Connection - Worried All the Time? Virtual Program Offers Resources

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Worried All the Time? Virtual Program Offers Resources
Iowa Ag Connection - 08/06/2020

Across Iowa, people are doing their best to adapt to significant changes to their lives and to a new normal. However, dealing with the ongoing uncertainty as the pandemic continues may lead to excessive worry and feelings of anxiety. For some, this may be a new experience. Others may become overwhelmed by the additional stress and uncertainty.

"We are all facing circumstances and challenges we never have before and there are no certain answers as we move through this pandemic," said Andrea Gustafson, a crisis/outreach counselor with COVID Recovery Iowa.

In response, COVID Recovery Iowa, in collaboration with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, will begin offering, "I Worry All the Time: Resources for Life in a Pandemic." This virtual program is designed to provide education about anxiety and offer practical tools to manage worry. Opportunities for discussion also will be provided.

"I Worry all the Time: Resources for Life in a Pandemic" will be offered during both lunch hours and evening hours to accommodate a variety of busy schedules. Each program will last for one hour. Those dates and times are as follows:

- Aug. 13 at 6:30 p.m.

- Aug. 27 at 12 p.m.

- Sept. 10 at 6:30 p.m.

- Sept. 24 at 12 p.m.

This program will be open, at no cost, to anyone interested in learning more about this topic. To register, go to https://www.extension.iastate.edu/humansciences//events?filter= and select the program, date and time you are interested in. Registered participants will receive a unique URL prior to the program to access the Zoom hosted program. For more information, contact Andrea Gustafson at andreag3@iastate.edu.

COVID Recovery Iowa offers a variety of services to anyone affected by the Coronavirus pandemic. Virtual counselors provide counseling, activities and referral information and help find resources for any Iowan seeking personal support. Iowans of all ages may join groups online for activities and learn creative strategies for coping with the effects of the pandemic. COVID Recovery Iowa will announce upcoming programs on the website and via all social media to help Iowans build coping skills, resilience and emotional support. To request support, go to www.COVIDrecoveryiowa.org or contact the Iowa Concern Hotline at 515-447-1985 or the Iowa Warm Line at 1-855-775-9276.

Iowa Concern, offered by ISU Extension and Outreach, provides confidential access to stress counselors and an attorney for legal education, as well as information and referral services for a wide variety of topics. With a toll-free phone number, live chat capabilities and a website, Iowa Concern services are available 24 hours a day, seven days per week at no charge. To reach Iowa Concern, call 800-447-1985; language interpretation services are available. Or, visit the website, /www.extension.iastate.edu/iowaconcern/, to live chat with a stress counselor one-on-one in a secure environment. Or, email an expert regarding legal, finance, stress, or crisis and disaster issues.

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