Welcome to the holidays - that whirlwind of gift giving and parties that begins right after Thanksgiving, and continues through the end of the year. The holiday season for most people is a fun time, but for many people, it is a period filled with sadness, self-reflection, loneliness, and anxiety.

To help beat the holiday blues, Fairfield University's counseling and psychological services will be hosting a networking event for mental health professionals on Friday, Dec. 17, from 8:30-11:00 a.m. in Alumni Hall. The program brings mental health clinicians together to meet one another, and learn about the resources available for those in need.

According to Susan Birge, Ph.D., the networking session provides local therapists with the opportunity to make connections with treatment programs for substance abuse, mood and eating disorders, and to make referrals for those who may be suffering from holiday depression.

Birge, who is the university's assistant vice president/director of counseling and psychological services, explains that for some, the holidays are filled with family and joy; for some, they are a time of family and relationship difficulties, financial strain, or loneliness, and for others, substance abuse or an eating disorder will become more unmanageable and perhaps, life-threatening.

The networking event is co-sponsored by six different mental health centers from across the country: Mountainside Addiction Treatment Center, Rosewood Ranch Treatment Center for Eating Disorders, Sierra Tucson Treatment Center - addictions and mental health, Marworth - addiction treatment, Hanley Center - addiction recovery, and Promises Addiction Treatment Center.

For more information, contact Susan Birge, assistant vice president/director of counseling and psychological services at (203) 254-4000 ext. 2146 or e-mail at sbirge@fairfield.edu .

Posted On: 12-16-2010 10:12 AM

Volume: 43 Number: 150