Ikeya Craig-Swatson, National Alliance on Mental Illness Keystone Pennsylvania, will lead a university-wide discussion, “Let’s Talk: Helping Students and Faculty Navigate Conversations About Mental Health” at 5 p.m. Nov. 12. The event will be a live webinar connected to all three campuses; join via Zoom or watch from 215 Carlson Library in Clarion, 130 Eberly Hall in California, or 710/711 Baron-Forness Library in Edinboro.

Craig-Swatson, community engagement specialist for NAMI Keystone Pennsylvania, leads mental health initiatives for youth/young adults. She is the coordinator of and Suicide Awareness for Everyone, the suicide prevention taskforce of Allegheny County. She will be joined by PennWest faculty panelists:

• Dr. Adrienne Dixon, associate professor of counseling and coordinator of the school counseling program and CEO/president of Sarah A. Reed Children’s Center, has a doctorate in counseling psychology, a master’s in counseling, and a post-master’s certificate in marital and family therapy.
• Dr. Rebecca Regeth, professor of psychology who specializes in research methods and statistics and advises Psychology Club, enjoys collaborating with students on research projects. She has studied wellness in college students, geocaching as it relates to mental and physical health, and the effects of COVID on student learning and mental health.
• Dr. Brandon Packard, associate professor and assistant chair of the Department of Computing and Engineering Technology, serves on various committees, including the LGBTQIA+ commission. He is co-chair of the Inclusion Subcommittee of the University Strategic Plan Council.

Other panelists include Ron Radaker, Sharon Conklin and John Massella from PennWest’s Office for Students with Disabilities, and Frank Billanti, licensed professional counselor in PennWest California Counseling Center.

The webinar, sponsored by the PennWest Commission on Disabilities and Accessibility, is free and open to students, faculty and staff.