Free Mental Health Program Available Online to Those in Non-Metropolitan Counties

Anxiety and depression are leading causes of disability and diminished quality of life in the United States. Providing care and support for those facing such concerns can be challenging, and those looking to provide support often do not know how to best be of help to those with mental health concerns.
Having family members or friends with mental health concerns, or having mental health concerns yourself, can be a daunting challenge. However, there are skills that can help you provide support and care for loved ones and improve your ability to manage your own wellbeing. Researchers at the Ohio State University are testing a skills program to provide training in different types of coping skills and problem-solving strategies. These strategies have been shown to be effective at treating individual mental health concerns. The researchers are testing whether they can help friends and family to use these skills to provide relief for friends and family more effectively.

We previously pilot tested this intervention and results were promising. We are conducting a randomized trial comparing the program to a control condition. Participants in the study will be offered the opportunity to participate in the study right away or after a two-month waiting period.
If this program sounds like it might be of interest to you, you are encouraged to participate in a free mental health skills program. “Our program is meant to provide an option for those in rural areas who would like to improve in their ability to provide support for loved ones, as findings services can be an extra challenge in rural areas” said Sam Murphy, study coordinator.

Participants will be asked to participate in an online program right in the near future or after a two-month waiting period. Participants will receive $15 Amazon gift cards for each of two follow-up surveys, one after a month and another a month later.

To participate, you must be 18 or older, have stable access to the internet, and live in a non-metropolitan county in the state of Ohio

The group will be offered online using a webinar style format in November and December. You can find more information on the study webpage, go.osu.edu/skills. You can also contact the study coordinator, Sam Murphy, M.A., at murphy.1664@osu.edu