Stress seems to be a permanent facet of adult life, inescapable no matter the precautions taken. Fortunately, UW-Madison’s Division of Extension educators aim to tackle that inevitability through one simple mission: focusing on the good. That mission is what fuels WeCOPE.

The online, evidence-based program WeCOPE is based on the work of Dr. Judith Moskowitz, with the mission to help adults cope with stress by pulling from positive emotions. “Researchers have found that even in the middle of serious life challenges, we do have positive emotions,” said Luisa Gerasimo, a human development and relationships educator with the Dunn County Extension Office. “Shifting our focus a bit can provide a lift that helps move us into a better place.”

“The program offers simple techniques that may provide a foundation for better mental health. It is great for any adult wanting to take better care of themselves and it is helpful for caregivers, since that can be a really tough,
and important, role.”

LUISA GERASIMO

DUNN COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE HUMAN DEVELOPMENT & RELATIONSHIPS EDUCATOR

During the course, adults will meet every Tuesday for six weeks, where they will be tasked with completing short assignments between sessions and confronting their most strenuous aspects in life, for even in the context of serious life stress, positive adaptive consequences can and do occur. The best part? The class and materials are completely free, thanks to the SAMHSA ROTA Grant.

Asking for help or searching for it is rarely an easy task, but WeCOPE hopes to alleviate that burden. “The program offers simple techniques that may provide a foundation for better mental health,” Gerasimo said. “It is great for any adult wanting to take better care of themselves and it is helpful for caregivers, since that can be a really tough and important role.”

The class begins on May 14 and attendees will meet every Tuesday through June 18. Details for the class will be sent in an email preceding the first meeting, which will include a Zoom link.

WeCOPE will meet every Tuesday from May 14- June 18 from noon to 1pm. This class can be found by scrolling to the state class listing on the UW Extension Health and Wellbeing page, or by using this link. Materials can be picked up at the Extension Offices in either Eau Claire County or Dunn County.