Build practical skills to manage stress, anxiety, and depression.
COPE is a live, online program that teaches evidence-based cognitive behavioral skills to help participants recognize and change unhelpful thoughts, build healthier emotional responses, and develop practical coping strategies that support resilience over time.
Why COPE?
COPE helps people build practical skills to manage stress, anxiety, and depression before challenges grow more overwhelming. Through a structured, facilitator-led approach, participants learn how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors connect — and how to use that understanding to respond in healthier, more effective ways. The skills taught in COPE are designed to support resilience, emotional regulation, and positive habits that participants can continue using long after the program ends.
COPE has been shown to support reductions in depression, anxiety, stress, and suicidal ideation, while also helping improve self-esteem, healthy lifestyle behaviors, and academic performance.
Who Is COPE For?
COPE is designed for individuals and families impacted by rising stress, anxiety, and depression who may face barriers to timely mental health support.
Adults
For adults ages 25 and older who want practical, evidence-based tools to better manage stress, anxious thoughts, and depressive symptoms.
Young Adults
For ages 18–24 who want support building healthier coping strategies, emotional awareness, and resilience during times of change and pressure.
Coming Soon! Children and Teens
COPE also supports children ages 7–12 and teens ages 12–17 through age-appropriate program options.
Coming Soon! Older Adults
Older adults often have unique wellness needs, and specialized COPE programming designed for adults ages 55 and older will be available soon.
How COPE Works?
1. Enroll in a cohort
Choose the cohort that best fits your age group and schedule. Need step-by-step instructions for enrolling? Find them here!
2. Purchase your required workbook
The COPE workbook manual is required before the course begins. It is purchased separately from the course fee, and you’ll need to allow up to two weeks for delivery.
3. Attend seven live online sessions
Sessions are delivered live by trained facilitators through Zoom, with course access and materials available in Canvas Catalog.
4. Practice what you learn
Each session introduces practical cognitive behavioral tools that participants can apply in everyday life to build healthier thinking, emotional regulation, and resilience.
What You’ll Learn
Across seven sessions, participants build practical coping skills they can use in everyday situations.
- Thinking, feeling, and behaving: understanding the connection
- Positive thinking and healthy thinking habits
- Coping with stress
- Problem-solving and setting goals
- Managing emotions through positive thinking and effective communication
- Coping with stressful situations
- Pulling it all together for a healthier you
What Participants Gain
- A better understanding of the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
- Practical strategies for managing stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms
- Tools to support healthier thinking and emotional responses
- Skills that help strengthen resilience in everyday life
Choose Your Cohort
COPE is delivered in small cohorts, allowing participants to move through the program together in a supportive learning environment.
Current cohorts are offered on different days of the week and at different times of day, making it easier to find an option that fits your schedule.
| Cohort 1 | Adult | Mondays from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. | September 14, 21, 28 and October 5, 12, 19, 26 | 12 spots remaining |
| Cohort 2 | Young Adult | Mondays from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. | September 14, 21, 28 and October 5, 12, 19, 26 | 12 spots remaining |
| Cohort 3 | Adult | Tuesdays from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. | September 15, 22, 29 and October 6, 13, 20, 27 | 12 spots remaining |
| Cohort 4 | Young Adult | Thursdays from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. | September 17, 24 and October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 | 12 spots remaining |
| Cohort 5 | Adult | Thursdays from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. | September 17, 24 and October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 | 12 spots remaining |
If you’ve found a cohort that works for you, enroll below!
Program Cost
The COPE course fee is $129. Participants must also purchase the required COPE workbook manual before the course begins. Workbook pricing varies by audience, with manuals priced at $25 for young adults and teens and $35 for adults, plus $9 shipping.
Please allow up to two weeks for workbook delivery when planning your enrollment.
- Course fee: $129
- Young adult manual: $25 + $9 shipping
- Teen manual: $25 + $9 shipping
- Adult manual: $35 + $9 shipping
Questions?
We’re here to help. Reach out to the COPE team if you have questions about fit, enrollment, or upcoming sessions. Reach out to the COPE team by emailing nesenursingonline@psu.edu.
Need Immediate Mental Health Support?
US National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Call or text 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
(Deaf & Hard of Hearing Options): 1-800-799-4889
US National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Website.
US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline
Free, confidential, 24/7 treatment referral and information service (English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders
Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
US SAMHSA National Helpline
Refund Policy
COPE workbooks are non-refundable under any circumstances, as they cannot be returned once issued. Cancellations made at least 7 days prior to the program start date are eligible for a partial refund. Please note that a non-refundable administrative fee ($20.00) will be retained from the total amount paid to cover processing and enrollment costs.
No refunds will be issued for cancellations made within 7 days of the program start date, regardless of the reason.
To request a cancellation, please contact us at NeseNursingOnline@psu.edu with your name, registration details, and reason for cancellation. All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing and are subject to review.
| Cancellation Timing | Refund Eligibility |
| 7+ days before start date | Partial refund minus administrative fee |
| COPE Workbook | Non-refundable |
| Within 7 days of start date | No refund |