Find support in the Louisville area with these free mental health workshops at city libraries
For those feeling overwhelmed in the Louisville area, who may need some extra support navigating those stressful day-to-day interactions, these workshops just might be exactly what you need.
Mental Health Lou, a Louisville mental health organization, is kicking off its Mind-Body Wellness Series in March, including 40 free workshops at ten library locations in the area.
What topics will the workshops discuss?
Mental Health Lou has four workshops planned, each with a unique topic. The duration of each workshop is about one hour, with the same topics to be discussed at different library locations. The workshops are as follows:
Workshop 1: Exploring Emotion Processing Through Journaling
The first workshop, focused on journaling, is interactive and highlights benefits, techniques, exercises for processing emotions, and common challenges seen in the journaling process.
According to a news release from Mental Health Lou, “Journaling provides a safe and private space to explore thoughts and feelings, helping to gain insight and clarity.”
Workshop 2: Breathing Skills for Anxiety Reduction
The second workshop focuses on stress and anxiety management through breathing exercises. Attendees will learn about the connection between breath, the nervous system and anxiety.
Participants will learn breathwork techniques, including belly breathing, as well as how to incorporate it day-to-day, with the goal of preserving a sense of calm and peace.
Workshop 3: The Power of Sleep for Emotional Resilience
The third workshop focuses on the importance of sleep for one’s mental and emotional health. “Sleep plays a crucial role in emotional well-being and resilience,” said the release. “Participants will learn about the relationship between sleep and emotions, and how to optimize their sleep habits for better mental health.”
The workshop will discuss the sleep cycle and stages of sleep, the importance of sleep for emotional processing and regulation, strategies for sleep hygiene and a sleep-conducive environment, and the impact of technology, stress and more on sleep quality.
Workshop 4: Embodiment Practices for Anxiety Reduction
The final workshop is dedicated to anxiety reduction through mindfulness and grounding techniques. “Being present in your body is a powerful way to reduce anxiety and connect with your emotions," according to the news release. "This workshop will guide participants through somatic and mindfulness practices to cultivate a deeper connection with their physical selves.”
Key topics of discussion include grounding techniques in the present moment, mindfulness exercises based around breath and bodily sensations, the role of such techniques in anxiety reduction and emotional regulation, and ways to integrate the practices into real life.
Louisville Free Public Library locations
The mental health workshops will take place at a variety of library locations in the city including:
Northeast Regional Library: Located at 15 Bellevoir Circle.
Crescent Hill Library: Located at 2762 Frankfort Ave.
Shively-Newman Library: Located at 3920 Dixie Highway.
Bon Air Library: Located at 2816 Del Rio Place.
St. Matthews-Eline Branch Library: Located at 3940 Grandview Ave.
Shawnee Library: Located at 3912 W. Broadway.
Main Library: Located at 301 York St.
Western Library: Located at 604 S. 10th St.
Fairdale Public Library: Located at 10620 W. Manslick Road in Fairdale.
Southwest Regional Library: Located at 9725 Dixie Highway.
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Mental Health Lou workshop schedule
Workshop 1: Journaling
March 5: 2 to 3 p.m. at Northeast.
March 5: 2 to 3 p.m. at Shively.
March 7: 3 to 4 p.m. at Crescent Hill.
March 7: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Bon Air.
April 4: 6 to 7 p.m. at St. Matthews.
April 6: 2 to 3 p.m. at Shawnee.
April 8: 6 to 7 p.m. at Main.
April 9: 6 to 7 p.m. at Western.
May 7: 2 to 3 p.m. at Fairdale.
May 11: 10 to 11 a.m. at Southwest.
Workshop 2: Breathing
March 12: 2 to 3 p.m. at Northeast.
March 12: 2 to 3 p.m. at Shively.
March 14: 3 to 4 p.m. at Crescent Hill.
March 14: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Bon Air.
April 11: 6 to 7 p.m. at St. Matthews.
April 13: 2 to 3 p.m. at Shawnee.
April 15: 6 to 7 p.m. at Main.
April 16: 6 to 7 p.m. at Western.
May 14: 2 to 3 p.m. at Fairdale.
May 18: 10 to 11 a.m. at Southwest.
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Workshop 3: Sleep
March 19: 2 to 3 p.m. at Northeast.
March 19: 2 to 3 p.m. at Shively.
March 21: 3 to 4 p.m. at Crescent Hill.
March 21: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Bon Air.
April 18: 6 to 7 p.m. at St. Matthews.
April 20: 2 to 3 p.m. at Shawnee.
April 22: 6 to 7 p.m. at Main.
April 23: 6 to 7 p.m. at Western.
May 21: 2 to 3 p.m. at Fairdale.
May 25: 10 to 11 a.m. at Southwest.
Workshop 4: Embodiment
March 26: 2 to 3 p.m. at Northeast.
March 26: 2 to 3 p.m. at Shively.
March 28: 3 to 4 p.m. at Crescent Hill.
March 28: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Bon Air.
April 24: 6 to 7 p.m. at St. Matthews.
April 27: 2 to 3 p.m. at Shawnee.
April 29: 6 to 7 p.m. at Main.
April 30: 6 to 7 p.m. at Western.
May 28: 2 to 3 p.m. at Fairdale.
June 1: 10 to 11 a.m. at Southwest.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Mental Health Lou to host free workshops at Louisville libraries
