Polk Wellness Center will present Handling Holiday Stress, a community awareness event that will feature a panel discussion and question and answer session identifying stress triggers and ways to manage the pressures that come with the holiday season. Handling Holiday Stress is open to the public and will be held at Isothermal Community Colleges Polk Campus on Monday, December 6 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Handling Holiday Stress is a collaborative effort with panelists from Polk Wellness Center, Steps to Hope and St. Lukes Hospital.&bsp; In addition, Allied Health students from ICC will be offering free blood pressure and glucose screenings.

A complimentary pizza dinner will be provided at 5:30 p.m. with the discussion panel starting at 6 p.m. Complimentary childcare will also be provided.

Holiday time can be an exceptionally difficult time of year for many, amplifying existing life stressors. Families dealing with divorce and child custody issues; individuals battling depression or loneliness; and those trying not to succumb to their addictions all find themselves struggling to make it through the month of December. Anyone feeling the pressure and anxiety brought about by the holiday season is invited to attend.

Handling Holiday Stress is designed to start the process of empowerment by offering strategies to get this time of year under control. Panel discussion topics will include: Families and Tradition; Divorce and Custody; Stress and the Body; Wellness in the New Year; Loneliness; Depression/Anxiety; Substance Abuse; Seasonal Affect Disorder; and Domestic Abuse.

After the panel has concluded its presentation, attendees will be encouraged to participate in a question and answer session. In addition, therapists, social workers and medical professionals will offer break-out sessions (such as teens and depression; addictions; domestic abuse; etc.) during the evening if there is a need.

While this event alone cannot immediately eliminate some of the problems that may be discussed, the organizations involved hope that this will be the beginning of a journey to wellness for many who will attend.

Polk Wellness Center is a non-profit community of providers offering comprehensive health and wellness services in an atmosphere that fosters respect for all served, regardless of their ability to pay. Polk Wellness Center uses a comprehensive, integrated model to provide primary care, mental health/substance abuse, prevention, education, wellness, and recovery support services.