WEST KILL — A new workshop series in the Catskills is aiming to bridge the gap between rural isolation and emotional resilience, offering residents tools to navigate grief and mental health challenges.

The series, titled "Tools for Wellbeing & Connection," will host its next session, "When the Heart Breaks and Life Still Goes On: Living With and Beyond Loss," on March 7 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Organizers say the program is designed specifically to address the unique experience of grieving in a rural landscape, where vast distances can often amplify a sense of loneliness.

"We want to talk about grief in rural life—where wide spaces can intensify loss, and where finding connection can help light the way forward," the organizers said in a statement.

The workshops are led by two experienced mental health professionals with deep ties to both the local community and New York City:

Dr. Helle Thorning: A licensed clinical social worker, author, and educator who trains mental health professionals globally. Thorning maintains a private practice in both West Kill and Manhattan.

Gail Spindell: A psychotherapist specializing in anxiety and depression. Spindell, a resident of Jewett and New York City, has led the "Skillful Aging" workshop at the Hunter Library for the past four years.

The initiative seeks to build community resilience and provide a space for residents to find hope through shared experience. Following the March event, a subsequent workshop is scheduled for April 11.

The sessions are free and open to the public, though registration is encouraged. Interested participants can contact Helle Thorning at (518) 255-8657 or via email at hellethorningwine@gmail.com.