2026 Free Community Education Series
EXPERT DISCUSSION OF MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Strategies for awareness, prevention, and proactive ways to bolster health.
Presented by Lindner Center of Hope clinicians.
Sponsored by Lindner Center of Hope with the support of Manor House and Community Partners.
Third Wednesday of certain months beginning in February 2026
from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
In-person at:
Manor House
7440 Mason-Montgomery Rd.
Mason, OH 45040
Or
Virtual Option *by way of virtual platform provided by:
Register below under each series you would like to attend. If any have questions, you can contact Pricila Gran at (513) 536-0318 or email [email protected].
2026 Calendar Series
February 18, 2026 Manor House
Kate Kersey, LMFT, Therapist
Best Strategies for Supporting Loved Ones Battling Mental Illness
By the end of this talk, participants will be able to:
- Understanding the important role family members play in helping loved ones battle mental health struggles
- Practical ways to approach a loved one battling mental illness with competent compassion
- Strategies for supporting your loved one and keeping healthy boundaries
- Ways to keep oneself healthy as you support a loved one in their journey.
March 18, 2026 Manor House
Chris Tuell, EdD, LPCC-S, LICDC-CS, Clinical Director of Addiction Services
The Silent Epidemic of Pornography
By the end of this talk, participants will be able to:
- Describe the prevalence of pornography use in contemporary society and identify its potential psychological, relational effects, especially among adolescents and young adults.
- Recognize key indicators of problematic pornography use or addiction, including its influence on mental health.
- Identify and apply evidence-based prevention, education, and counseling strategies to address pornography-related issues.
May 3, 2026 will be Community Education Day at the Manor House – separate sign-up (in-person only) (more details to follow)
April 15, 2026 Manor House
Megan Schrantz, Ed.D, LPCC, Outpatient and Residential Therapist
Tackling Stress and Building Joy
By the end of this talk, participants will be able to:
- Develop a greater understanding of the useful role that anxiety plays in our lives and how it can shift from helpful to harmful
- Learn mindfulness techniques to empower oneself to experience greater joy and peace in our lives.
June 17, 2026 Manor House
Brian Berendts, MSN, APRN-CNP, PMHNP-BC, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Beyond the Prescription: Lifestyle Foundations of Mental Wellness
By the end of this talk, participants will be able to:
- Describe the six pillars of Lifestyle Medicine
- Discuss the evidence supporting an optimized lifestyle and how it can reduce the need for psychiatric medications or enable lower effective doses
- The Force is with YOU! Applying principles of Lifestyle Medicine into everyday life
September 16, 2026 Manor House
John M. Hawkins, M.D., Director of the Bipolar Disorders Clinic and Staff Psychiatrist
Bipolar Basics – Breaking Down the Stigma of a Common and Treatable Disorder
By the end of this talk, participants will be able to:
- Explain the difference between Bipolar Disorder and other mood disorders
- Understand the treatment approaches for Bipolar Disorder (including meds, therapies, sleep regulation, tx of comorbities, etc).
October 21, 2026 Manor House
Anna Guerdjikova, PhD, LISW-S, CEDS, CCRS, Director of Administrative Services, Harold C. Schott Eating Disorders Program, Lindner Center of Hope
Mind, Mood and Menopause: Why We Forget, Feel, and React Differently—And What to Do About It
By the end of this talk, participants will be able to:
- Explain how hormonal changes in midlife—such as menopause and andropause—affect brain chemistry, memory, and mood.
- Recognize how shifts in estrogen, testosterone, and brain neurotransmitters influence emotions, stress, and mental well-being.
- Identify practical lifestyle habits and relationship strategies that support brain health, emotional balance, and empathy between partners during midlife transitions.
November 18, 2026 Manor House
Heather Melena, APRN, PMHNPBC, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and
Lauren Neiser, MSN, PHMNP-BC, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
PANDAS, PANS, and OCD: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment
By the end of this talk, participants will be able to:
- What are the common and uncommon signs of PANDAS and PANS
- Clinical differences in presentation- how do we spot it? How do we diagnose it?
- What does treatment look like and why psychotherapy is just as important for these patients versus traditional OCD patients.
- Why is a diagnosis of PANDAS or PANS so controversial?