The August Buzz

Hello!

By now you have probably noticed that we have been busy buzzing around the community supporting mental health. Our mission is to provide resources for all people to achieve personal (and professional) well-being. Please keep us in mind if you know of a group or organization who wants to begin mental health conversations. We are always looking for new opportunities to fulfill our mission.

This fall you will see us at school sidewalk fairs, teacher PDs, sports teams, and national conferences! We have a lot of new and exciting news coming soon so don't forget to read and dive into resources shared in future newsletters!

Sincerely,

Audrey

What's Happening Around The Hive

Cool, Calm & Confident: Learning How To Feel Better After Conflict

Does your high schooler struggle with feeling insecure in their friendships? Have difficulty with personalizing conflict? Rely on others for reassurance in order to move on from conflict?

Then join us for this workshop, facilitated by therapist Renee Rouse, MSW!

This workshop teaches high schoolers ways to manage anxious thoughts during times of conflict. Through stress management techniques, they will learn how to get through difficult conversations and remain focused on the issue at hand. Additionally, participants will learn how to reassure themselves in the middle of spiraling thoughts by changing up what is around them (what you see, smell, feel, taste) and the way they speak to themselves. And finally, they will learn how to communicate with friends, family, teachers, or coaches while reassuring themselves.

Through this workshop, participants will:

👉 Develop new techniques to feel better after conflict

👉 Walk away with communication tools to feel secure, worry-free and confident after conflict

Workshop Details:

When: September 13th | 7:00-8:30PM
Who: High School Students
Where: Simply Bee | 977 Lakeview Pkwy, Suite 100, Vernon Hills
Cost: $25/Person

Space is limited so don’t wait to sign up!

Download & Share Flyer

Safety Town II

In partnership with the Gorton Center, Simply Bee was part of the annual presenters at Safety Town II in Lake Forest on August 11th. Our resident yoga instructor Stephanie Bersh, E-RYT, spent the afternoon teaching the kids about the importance of mindfulness and how our feelings manifest themselves physically in our bodies.

Stephanie supported the kids as they moved through yoga poses and did a craft using glitter in a water bottle as a metaphor to show the swirling feelings we all have, while providing breathing techniques and movement as ways to cope.

Introduction To Sports Psychology: Improving Performance, Mental Health & Teamwork

Simply Bee was thrilled to partner and support the Yorkville High School volleyball program and coaching staff on Friday, August 12th. Eric Stevenson, LPC & Sports Performance Consultant provided strategies to the athletes for how to check in on their overall mental health, manage performance anxiety, build a positive sports relationship with their parents, and how to be a good teammate even when they're unhappy with their role.

Additionally, we provided the athletes and coaches with a performance assessment & measurement plan that will help the athletes continue to build their awareness and mental strength for the duration of the whole season.

Well, Not Perfect Episode Spotlight

Letting Go of Fear, Avoidance and What Ifs

with OCD Expert Dr. Patrick McGrath

In this recent episode, host Audrey Grunst, LCSW got to put on her clinical hat with Dr. Patrick McGrath, Chief Clinical Officer for NOCD, an app-based platform for the treatment of OCD. He shares with us some of the exciting developments in the treatment of OCD and other anxiety disorders as well as some of the most interesting cases he’s dealt with in his career.

There was an empowering golden thread throughout this conversation that is important for every listener to hear: we as humans really are more capable of overcoming our fears than we may think. So whether you are a treatment provider or just someone providing support to a friend or family member with anxiety, there's something in this episode for you!

Listen On Spotify

Listen On Apple Podcasts

Back To School Resources

Simply Bee Campus Catalog

In the midst of all the logistics school administrators have to coordinate, we want to make scheduling your PD dates and topics easy!

This catalog shares our mission, along with information regarding all of our Training & Development Departments: Social Emotional Learning, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and Mental Performance for Athletes. Our goal is to be whole-person focused and to support the mental wellness of students, parents and educators.

Specifically, we recognize the positive ripple effect that educator's personal and professional development can have in the community. Through the use of our 5-step Growth & Resiliency Model©, we provide the necessary skills to support emotional growth both inside and outside of the classroom, even during challenging or uncertain times.

Thank you for the important work that you do with our children each and every day! We look forward to walking alongside of you in the journey towards supporting the mental health and well-being of those in our community.

View Catalog

Schedule Call to Learn More

Safe2Help Program Now In D70

District 70 will initiate an Illinois school safety helpline aimed at providing students a place to report information that might prevent bullying, suicide, and campus violence for the 2022-23 school year.

The program, Safe2Help, was launched statewide (Oct. 2021) and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and allows students to confidentially share school safety issues. The service is free to schools. While District 70 encourages students who feel unsafe to confide in a trusted adult, Safe2Help allows students who cannot reach out in person to instead reach out for help via a mobile app, a text or phone call, or seek aid through Safe2Help.com.

Information gleaned from Safe2Help is vetted and shared immediately with local school officials, mental health professionals, and/or local law enforcement and 911 if calls reference immediate threats. The program offers District 70 support by connecting students with tools and mental health resources to help students before they harm themselves or others.

Virtual CATCH Lunch & Learn

Thursday, August 25th | 12:00-1:00pm

Parenting Through Community Trauma

Returning to school this fall may present challenges for many in the aftermath of the Highland Park shooting. Michelle Magida, LCPC, Founder of Therapy Etc. is an experienced therapist and mother of two who will warmly guide us through the complexities of parenting through trauma as we send our kids back to class.