BETHEL — “It starts with Halloween and ends with Valentine’s Day,” claim Stephanie LeBlanc, LCSW, and Torrey Harrison, LCSW, Tri-County Mental Health experts, in speaking about holiday blues.

They will discuss the topic, “How to Keep the Holidays Happy: Managing the Holiday Blues,” at a program to be held from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7, at the Bethel Congregational Church, Church Street.

To Your Health of Western Mountains Senior College is holding this program in response to requests from participants of past To Your Health programs.

Both LeBlanc and Harrison say that the holidays can be a difficult time for many people. They will offer tips on how to recognize and deal with strong emotions and how to avoid the holiday blues. Symptoms that bring on the holiday blues and steps to take to forestall them will also be discussed. Seasonal affective depression will also be covered.

Harrison brings a wealth of knowledge and humor to her presentations and is often sought as a presenter in the greater Portland area. A graduate of Smith College School of Social Work, she manages the Tri-County Mental Health Services clinic in Windham. She has more than 20 years experience providing mental health services to children, youths and adults. Over the past 10 years, she has spoken to numerous groups on topics such as positive psychology, understanding ADHD and autism, grief and loss, and infant mental health.

LeBlanc holds a masters in social work from the University of New England and a minor in psychology. She has been with TCHMS since 2005 serving as the Adult Clinical Services Manager. Her many duties and roles have included clinician, clinical team lead and quality management team lead. She has specialized in the development of and management of integrated primary care services and the implementation of tele-psychiatry services within the agency. She is a member of the community trauma response team and participates in multiple agency committees. Prior to joining TCMHS, she worked as a residential services clinician for Sweetser, specializing in treatment for juvenile sexual offenders.

The speakers will hold a question-and-answer period and hand-outs will be available.

The program is sponsored as a community service by To Your Health of WMSC with the collaboration of Bethel Family Health Center and MSAD 44/Continuing Education with special appreciation to Tri-County Mental Health Services. The public is invited and admission is free. Light refreshments available.

Further programs in this year’s To Your Health series include: “Fat Facts About Your Body Chemistry and What You Can Do About It,” on Thursday, Feb. 6, with Daniel vanBuren, M.D., cardiologist; “Spring Into Spring with Colorful Foods,” March 6, with Cathi DiCocoa; and “From Sneezes to Kegels: Issues with Urinary-Gyn Health,” April 3, with Cathy Heffernan. All programs are scheduled at the Bethel Congregational Church from 4:30 to 6 p.m.

For more information, call Rosabelle Tifft at 824-2053.