The Senate’s Mental Wellness Task Force has two upcoming programs that address different mental health needs.

Mental illness support group: If you have a friend or family member dealing with mental illness and would like to exchange stories, ideas and resources with others who care about someone dealing with such challenges, a new “family and friends” support group with start meeting next month, according to Linda Tashbook, chair of the task force and the Senate’s Benefits and Welfare committee. The group will meet from noon to 1 p.m. on the second Monday of each month — Oct. 10, Nov. 14 and Dec 12 — in Room 156/Schenley Dining Room in the Cathedral of Learning. “You can bring your lunch, and it's just an opportunity to care and share,” Tashbook said at the Sept. 7 Faculty Assembly meeting.

Mental Wellness Book Club: The next book being discussed is “The Relationship Cure: A 5 Step Guide to Strengthening Your Marriage, Family, and Friendships” by John M. Gottman and Joan DeClaire. The book looks at the ways people relate to each other — as friends, couples, colleagues, teammates, and in other situations. The book contains vignettes, sample dialogues, self-inventories, and exercises. Register online for this discussion, which will be from noon to 1 p.m. Oct. 5, in person in Dining Room B at the William Pitt Union. There will only be 20 participants and they will receive free copies of the book when they register. The group will manage a waitlist and possibly offer an alternate program for overflow registrants.