Jefferson County book club offers lessons on stress

FAIRFIELD – Jefferson County ISU Extension and Outreach will host a class this fall on promoting mental health for youngsters in grades six through 12.

Clint Mercer, the extension office's youth outreach educator, will lead a discussion of the book 'The Mindful Teen: Powerful Skills to Help You Handle Stress One Moment at a Time,” published in 2015 by Dzung X. Vo. The class will be limited to 10 people, each of whom will receive a copy of the book to borrow during the class. The class will meet online from 4-5 p.m. every Thursday for six weeks starting Oct. 15. Registration is due this Thursday.

There is a fee to participate.

Mercer said participants will read the book and talk about what they learned from it. He said it will be a good opportunity for youth to learn how to manage stress.

'As a kid, a lot of things are expected of you, and you're still getting used to them,” he said. 'Our office has done some other mental health programs but this is a pioneer program. It's new across the state.”

Mercer said he will lead a discussion on how children can be more present in the moment instead of going through life on 'autopilot.”

Grace Davidson, Jefferson County 4-H county youth coordinator, will participate in the sessions as well.