Times are tough, and the brain is tricky. Focusing on your studies is hard, especially if 2020 has you feeling lost, off, down, anxious, irritable, or frantic. Join this two part virtual program of C&EN’s Table Talks to learn from clinical health psychologist Dr. Lindsay Bira in a webinar and Q&A on August 6th, followed by a hands on workshop on August 13th. Note that because of the hands on nature of the workshop on August 13th, part 2 will have limited capacity.
Coping with Chaos: Outsmarting Your Brain
August 6, 11:00am-12:30pm
In part 1 of Coping with Chaos, you will learn:
- How your brain responds to myriad stressors of 2020
- Ways to outsmart your brain and ride the waves of stress
- Advice for thriving through uncertainty
- Tips for supporting friends and family
Dr. Lindsay Bira will lead undergraduate and graduate students through a frank look at what happens when the brain is under stress, how to prevent mental health symptoms from taking hold, and why these times are so strange and tough, especially for students. This session will be largely informational, so bring your questions and be prepared for an open and honest discussion of challenges big & small.
Coping with Chaos: Making It Work for You (Workshop is full, waitlist open)
August 13, 11:00am-12:30pm
In part 2 of Coping with Chaos, you will learn:
- How your brain responds to stress and how to outsmart it
- Strategies for thriving in uncertainty
- Coping strategies that work best for you
Dr. Lindsay Bira will lead undergraduate and graduate students through a discussion of how their brains react to the challenging events of 2020 and how they can keep moving forward. Students will work in small groups to identify the coping strategies that work best for them.
Both events will be held on Zoom. The Aug. 6th event is open to everyone. The Aug. 13th has reached capacity, and the waitlist is open. If you are moved from the waitlist for the August 13th event, then you will receive a Zoom link to join that event.
This C&EN’s Table Talks is in partnership with ACS Student Communities.
Lindsay Bira, Ph.D., is a clinical health psychologist, TEDx speaker, and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at UT Health San Antonio. She has clinical research specialty in behavioral medicine and PTSD/trauma. She speaks often on the topic of mental health and wellbeing, serves as a consultant on projects that seek to incorporate mental health, and runs a private practice where she treats adults and teens for a range of issues. She received her Ph.D. in clinical health psychology from University of Miami. She completed residency with Harvard Medical School and Boston University School of Medicine before completing an additional 2-year fellowship in trauma psychology. Dr. Bira has been featured by TEDx, Texas Public Radio, Women’s Health Magazine, Headspace, Science, Nature Biotech, and more, for her work in stress, PTSD, mindfulness, brain health, and personal growth. She is passionate about breaking stigma around mental health and values platforms that allow her to bridge the gap between complex research and global understanding.
Dorea Reeser is a science communicator, mental health advocate and social media enthusiast. She completed a PhD in environmental chemistry at the University of Toronto in 2013. In 2017 she joined C&EN, where she is now the Senior Audience Engagement Editor and manages their social media channels, newsletters, interactive content, and everything in between. She is committed to bringing mental health awareness and resources to the journalism and scientific communities through storytelling, mentorship, support groups and collaboration. Follow her on Twitter: @drdorea.