The USU Extension is offering an online workshop series called “Me Time for Teens” that will begin on Jan. 16. This is an online course that will run for 6 weeks for teens ages 13 to 17 years of age living in Carbon, Emery and Grand Counties. Castle Country Radio was able to get more information on this online event.

“It’s a program that’s being implemented now in Utah, that we are calling the Me Time Program. Right now, it’s been mostly done in the Salt Lake area and the reason it’s being done is because according to the 2021 Utah Teen Health Report, 1 in 3 teens reports depressive symptoms and so what this program does it helps teach teens coping skills to deal with those depressive symptoms,” said Aurelio Rodriguez. It’s a program developed around CBT or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and not taught by a licensed therapist. Another big reason to offer these courses to teens is that it helps decrease their desire to seek out bad habits with alcohol and drugs.

Participants are taught to apply these skills in their daily lives through in-session exercises and weekly home practice assignments. The schedule for the courses will run like a Zoom meeting from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm and the topics will be as follows:

Jan 16          Focus on the Triangle of Thoughts, Feelings & Behaviors
Jan 23          Focus on thinking more positively
Jan 30          Focus on another wat of challenging negative thoughts
Feb 6           Focus on another wat of challenging negative thoughts
Feb 13         Focus on daily hassles & planning future
Feb. 20         Focus on major life events

The course is free and attendees who complete the 6-week course will receive gift cards, swag and prizes, it’s now time to get your teen signed up for this informative course. To register your teen for this event please call the local USU Extension Office in Price at (435) 636-3233, in Emery County (435) 381-2381, in Grand County (435) 259-7558.

Further details can be found at https://extension.usu.edu/be-epic/events