Hello!
Despite the weather being a bit "moody" it appears that many people are taking the opportunity to enjoy the random warm days here in Lake County. I was recently asked how Midwest people gets through seasonal depression or anxiety and I responded by saying we cherish the warm days and really plan around nice weather. Having something to look forward to is one of the biggest ways we can combat seasonal depression and anxiety. Social activities can be as short as a 15 minute walk with a neighbor or a BBQ bash.
Although this may feel cumbersome there are a few skills that we can rely on to make it happen. One is opposite-to-emotion, that is acting in opposition to the depression or anxiety. The other skill is cope ahead, which would be the action of including someone else in your plan so they help you stay accountable. I hope these two skills give you some tools to combat the final days of winter-ish weather and look forward to warm days and more.
As always if you feel days are gloomy and just too hard to get moving in the right direction, we are here to help you.
Sincerely,
Audrey
PS - We hope you will join our Mental Health Action Day in Libertyville on May 19th. We have raised thousands of dollars and believe that we can make a difference with your help! Come and join, donations are NOT required to show your efforts towards mental health.
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What's Happening Around The Hive |
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Walk In My Shoes: A Creative Workshop For Teens
April 10th
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Simply Bee's Katie Klein, LCPC, and William Barnard, Director of Glencoe Youth Services, collaborated on this workshop and provided a safe space for teens to find connection, increase empathy as they learned other's stories, and shared their own experience of what life is like 'walking in their shoes' by using the canvas of a blank shoe.
100% of participants who responded said they would recommend it to a peers and some of the feedback included:
"Feelings don't need to be shared through words always"
"Listening to others stories"
"I learned how to express my feelings in a short time"
"This was awesome!"
"This should be done more often"
If your child would like to attend our next workshop session, please join our interest list so that we can contact you in the future.
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Mental Health Action Day - Walk & Ice Cream Social
May 19th
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Mental Health Action Day is an initiative powered by MTV Entertainment. It started in 2020 in the wake of COVID-19 where millions of people uncovered new mental health conditions and millions more had their existing challenges exacerbated. There was a clear need to take action and support those in our communities — and identify opportunities to build long-term resilience.
Simply Bee was asked to join a coalition of more than 1400 nonprofits, brands, government agencies, and influential leaders from 32 countries who came together to shift our mental health culture from awareness to action.
This year's theme of connection comes at a time when people of all ages continue to seek out ways to cope with loneliness stemming from the pandemic. Whether you're taking action for yourself, a loved one or to advocate for systemic change, your efforts are appreciated.
How we're taking action:
What: A family-friendly Walk & Ice Cream Social!
When: Thursday, May 19th | 6:30-7:30pm
Where: We will meet at the bike path on the corner of 176 & Garfield (behind St. John's Church) and walk west, ending at Dairy Dream for a free ice cream cone.
Additional Details: The first 100 people to register will receive fun SWAG - so be sure to sign up quickly! There will be photo opportunities throughout the event so come wearing MHAD theme colors of orange and/or blue!
Sponsorship Opportunities
We are looking for organizations interested in supporting this cause and event as a sponsor. There are several levels of sponsorship available so that you can find the one that best aligns with your goals and mission to serve and take action for mental health.
To join us as a sponsor, please email our Manager of Community Education, Kate Kelley.
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Donations will go to:
The Lake County Veterans and Family Services Foundation, a 501c (3) non-profit organization founded in 2012. They are 100% funded by private donations with a mission to connect Service Members and their families with each other and to the resources and benefits they earned and deserve, free and confidentially regardless of discharge status. Through their professionally trained Veteran Peer Specialists, they provide “help from those who’ve been there” for support services, counseling, program resources, and a sense of hope and purpose.
To learn more about their organization and services, visit their website.
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Can't Attend But Looking For Ways To Take Action?
We appreciate your contribution and willingness to support the Mental Health Action Day Initiative. Donate in honor of a loved one by adding their name at checkout. We will read the names of those honored at our event.
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'Summer of Self-Care' Camp Sign-ups - Open Now!
June 13th-16th
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We had so much fun at our last Self-Care Sunday Series that we’re launching our first-ever ‘Summer of Self-Care’ 4-day camp!
Join us this June for a week of mindfulness projects, movement & therapeutic crafts focused on empowerment, gratitude, kindness and self-care. Facilitated by therapist Emily Plesnicar, LPC & yoga instructor Stephanie Bersh, RYT-200, this will be a space for each participant to find connection while building a toolbox of self-care skills and practices.
Through this camp, your tween will:
🎯 Gain knowledge on the benefits of incorporating mindfulness activities into daily routines
🎯 Learn how to incorporate a gratitude practice that promotes kindness and a larger sense of community
🎯 Become aware of skills that increase their sense of empowerment
🎯 Improve frequency and quality of self-care through therapeutic crafts and projects
Workshop Details:
- When: June 13-16 | 10:00AM - 12:00PM
- Who: Tweens ages 10-13
- Where: BASH | 707 N Milwaukee Ave, Libertyville, IL
- Cost: $200/Person
We hope to see your tween there to set them up for a summer filled with self-care & self-love.
We're half way full & space is limited so don’t wait to sign up!
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Panel Discussion with Hope For The Day
May 11th
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Join Hope For The Day and their panelists of experts as they take a look at Movie/TV Show Representations of Suicide.
This speaker event was put together by HTFD's Spring 2022 Education Interns Gabby (Louisiana State University) and Rahal (University of Illinois Chicago) and is meant to create discussion around movies and TV show’s portrayal of suicide.
Event Info:
May 11, 2022 | 6-7:30PM CST
Panelists:
- Audrey Grunst, LCSW, CCM —clinician (Illinois)
- Michelle R. Fortunado-Kewin, LCSW, PPSC —clinician (California)
- Avery C F Otten —screenwriter (California)
- Hannah Plauche, PhD, MS —academic (Louisiana)
After registering, you will receive confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Remember IT’S OK NOT TO BE OK.
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Girls' Life Magazine - April/May Issue |
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With Mother's Day on the horizon, Audrey Grunst, LCSW & CEO of Simply Bee was asked to contribute to the April/May edition of Girls' Life Magazine on the topic of "Talk To Your Mom About Anything." Perhaps you and your daughter find communication a challenge sometimes. This article walks through 5 tips for honest, authentic, and productive conversations.
Audrey recommends thinking beyond your argument. The way to do that is by being aligned as a family on your core values and always keeping those at the forefront of your decision-making. That can be a formal or informal process, but if you can each come to the table with those values defined, then it will be easier to work through the conflict and come to a resolution that both people can feel happy about.
Check out this resource to identify your top 5-10 core values as a family.
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In Case You Missed It
Want More?
If you're interested in checking out our resources and programs designed to support wellbeing for educators, parents & students join our Simply Bee Classroom newsletter, The Bulletin
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Do you see an event you like?
Contact us and we will help bring mental wellness to you!
For more information on workshops, public speaking engagements & more...
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Looking for our counseling services? Check out our website for more info & fill out the form below to be contacted by our team.
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