West Kill Workshop Series to Address Grief and Rural Isolation

WEST KILL — A local workshop series focused on mental health and community resilience will continue this month with a session dedicated to navigating loss in rural settings.

The workshop, titled "When the Heart Breaks and Life Still Goes On: Living With and Beyond Loss (PART 2)," is scheduled for Saturday, April 11, from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in West Kill. The event is free and open to the public as part of the "Tools for Wellbeing & Connection" series.

Organizers note that the session will specifically address the unique challenges of grieving in a rural environment, where geographic distances can often intensify feelings of isolation. The program aims to foster community connections as a means of finding a path forward through grief.

The series is facilitated by two experienced mental health professionals:

Dr. Helle Thorning: A licensed clinical social worker, author, and educator who maintains private practices in both West Kill and New York City.

Gail Spindell: A psychotherapist specializing in anxiety and depression who has led the "Skillful Aging" workshop at the Hunter Library for the past four years.

Interested participants are encouraged to contact Helle Thorning for specific location details and further information by calling (518) 255-8657 or emailing hellethorningwine@gmail.com.