|
MENTAL
WELLNESS DIGEST
Your connection to Resources, Education and Support
| |
 | |
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
Shining a light on mental health awareness month is crucial for fostering understanding, empathy and support for those experiencing mental health challenges. One in five people will have a mental health condition in their lifetime. It's essential to recognize that mental health is just as important as physical health and addressing it openly helps breakdown stigma and barriers to seeking help. Participation in mental health awareness movements can take many forms. Here are some ways you can become involved.
Educate yourself: Take the time to learn about different mental health conditions or symptoms and how they impact individual lives; understanding fosters empathy and reduces stigma. NAMI offers Mental Health First Aid classes. The classes provide a thorough understanding of mental health conditions and symptoms, and also connects you to a supportive community. Click here to sign up for Mental Health First Aid
Start conversations: Break the silence surrounding mental health by initiating conversations with friends, family and colleagues. Sharing personal experiences or simply being a supportive listener can help make a significant difference.
Support mental health initiatives: Get involved with NAMI Metro Suburban or other affiliates. This can involve volunteering, participating in fundraising or spreading awareness through social media. Click here to purchase tickets to our 2024 Celebration of Hope Gala
Prioritize self-care: Practice self-care techniques to maintain your own mental well-being. This could be include activities like exercise, mindfulness, hobbies or spending time with loved ones. It's never too early to start. If you have a teen have them check out The Loft at Eight Corners. Click here for more information
Be a supportive ally: Offer support and understanding to those struggling with mental health challenges. This may involve providing a listening ear, offering practical assistance, or connecting them to NAMI Metro Suburban’s FREE 24/7 Living Rooms for crisis care and support. Call now: 708-524-2582
By collectively engaging in these efforts, we can continue to make progress in promoting mental health awareness. Every act, no matter how big or small helps create compassion and understanding in our shared communities!
| |
|
Let’s Talk: Mental Health
Mental Health Matters, A Free Workplace Wellness Offering of NAMI Metro Suburban
Learn about mental wellness basics in this brief, 20–30-minute presentation.
The presentation trains organizations and staff on mental wellness and provides a brief overview of NAMI Metro Suburban free services. This is an opportunity to emphasize the importance of Mental Wellness, foster employee emotional health, and receive the support and resources that NAMI Metro Suburban offers!
If your business or organization is interested in engaging in this free presentation either virtually or in person, please reach out to us to learn more: Katelyn Potempa at potempa@namimetsub.org or 708-524-2582, ext. 305
| |
|
Weekly Wellness Groups at The Living Room
This month, The Broadview Living Room will be hosting Mental Health Awareness Month Wellness Group every Friday from 4pm-5pm.
Topics include:
•What is a Mental Illness or Mental Disorder?
•Showing Gratitude
•How Body Stores Trauma- short film with Q & A
•Stress-Reduction Workshop
We are also starting a new Stages of All Ages Wellness Group at The Summit Living Room every Thursday from 12pm-1pm. This support group is tailored to the needs of our senior population, to help improve quality of life by providing social connection, emotional support, access to resources, and opportunities for personal growth and development.
Click here for a full list of our Weekly Wellness Groups
|  | |
Please Join us for Our 2024 Celebration of Hope Gala
We’re only a few weeks away from our 2024 Celebration of Hope Gala! Won’t you join us? Head to namimetsub.org/events to purchase your tickets. Don’t forget to get your Golden Ticket, too, for a chance to win a trip to Las Vegas! We only sell 100 Golden Tickets, so you don’t want to miss out. Golden Ticket winners do not need to be present at the gala to win
|  | |
NAMI Metro Suburban Blog: A Symbol of Gratitude
"This tattoo still aids as a reminder to persist through dark times but has grown to mean so much more. My semicolon is my commitment to this beautifully chaotic and unparalleled experience of life and all that comes with it. I see it as a relic that acknowledges the pain of my past and the gleaming potential of what lies ahead."
-Camilla Best (Mental Health Training Manager)
-Claudia Hypes, CRSS, MHP (Community Education Coordinator)
-Katelyn Potempa, MA, CRSS (Community Engagement Manager)
-Aiden Cox (NAMI Metro Suburban Intern)
Click here to read the full blog
|  | |
Celebrating 2024 Graduates!
The IPS Supportive Employment Program is elated to congratulate our Transitional Youth on their remarkable achievements as they prepare to graduate next month. To commemorate this momentous occasion, we are thrilled to announce that we will be hosting a grand pizza party at Morton East High School later this month to celebrate our students' hard work and dedication.
Throughout the academic year, our dedicated team at NAMI, in partnership with the Transitions Staff at Morton East, have been steadfast in their commitment to guiding our students on their journey towards achieving their career aspirations. We provided invaluable support, including career tutoring, personal counseling, mentoring, financial guidance, and other essential services, to ensure our students had the resources needed for educational and career success.
| |
|
Parent Support at The Loft at Eight Corners
The Loft at Eight Corners provides services to teens AND their parents. Trina Bockus, Family Support Specialist, can provide 1:1 peer support for parents/caregivers discussing anything from typical teen issues, to mental health related questions, to how to find a therapist. Parents can call The Loft (708-883-3300) or send an email to bockus@namimetsub.org to set up a time to talk. The Loft holds Parent Support Groups on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month. Both are held from 7-8:30pm. The first meeting of the month is in person at The Loft and the second meeting is via Zoom. There are also monthly Parent Nights to provide education and resources on a variety of topics to help with communication and relationships.
Click here for the Parent Support Group zoom link
Meeting ID: 882 2626 3501
Passcode: 069063
Click here for The Loft at Eight Corners calendar
| |
|
Arts and Crafts at The Drop-In Center
Getting creative can help reduce stress, increase mindfulness, and boost your mood. Plus, it’s a fun way to express yourself and connect with others. Join us at The Drop-In Center on May 28th from 3pm-5pm for a special Arts and Crafts group lead by NAMI Volunteer, Amy.
Click here for the full calendar of Drop-In Center groups
| |
|
Meet our Community Health Worker: Alexia Villarruel
"Hi, my name is Alexia Villarruel, and I am a Community Health Worker for NAMI Metro Suburban. My office is located in the Summit Living Room where we have support services in Spanish and English. I focus on the communities of Summit, Berwyn and Cicero. I help people find services outside of NAMI Metro Suburban, for example, home care, LINK, Medicaid/Medicare and housing; among other things. What I like about this position is that it gives me the opportunity to grow my relationship with different organizations and educate people on the importance of mental health and that they are not alone.”
For assistance, reach out to Alexia today at 708-524-2582 ext. 306 or villarruel@namimetsub.org. You can also stop by The Summit Living room on Tuesdays from 9am-11am during Alexia's drop-in hours.
| |
|
Be the Difference! Sign up for Mental Health First Aid
Learn new skills to identify, de-stigmatize, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorder, enabling those trained to offer immediate, concrete support by taking a NAMI Metro Suburban Mental Health First Aid Course! Upon completion, participants will receive their certificate digitally. Additionally, participants can earn 6.5 to 7.5 credits of professional development hours (CEUs or CPDUs).
Upcoming Classes
May 4th: Youth Mental Health First Aid - Christ Church of Oak Brook
May 8th: Youth Mental Health First Aid - Loft at 8 Corners
May 11th: Youth Mental Health First Aid – First Congregational Church of Western Springs
May 17th: NEMRT-Public Safety - Indian Head Park
May 18th: Adult Mental Health First Aid - Christ Church of Oak Brook
May 18th: Adult Mental Health First Aid (Spanish) Salud Mental - First Congregational Church of Western Springs
Click here to register now!
| |
|
Our Team was at the State Capitol with NAMI Illinois
Alongside NAMI IL and local affiliates, NAMI Metro Suburban team members Claudia and Maricruz spent the day in Springfield advocating for a stronger and more inclusive mental health system, specifically for young adults.
Each year, the members of NAMI affiliates approve a policy agenda that guides statewide advocacy efforts to ensure access, parity, quality, and equity in mental health systems. 2023-24 priorities are:
- Developing and Creating a Comprehensive Crisis Continuum including integrated 988 call centers, CESSA mobile response, and crisis receiving facilities
- Growing and Diversifying our Mental Health Workforce by investing in our peer & community talent base and ensuring every part of Illinois is heard
- Ensuring Universal Access to Effective Mental Health Care for every Illinois resident, supported by adequate, sustainable funding
- Expanding Support for Youth & Young Adults in communities, schools, and clinical settings
- Strengthening Suicide Prevention by working across systems and focusing on highest need populations and demographic groups
| |
Emotional Well-Being: 5 Healthy Practices for Regulation
"Emotional self-regulation is the ability to control and redirect our emotions. It is a key component of our emotional intelligence and our overall mental and emotional well-being. Since we don’t get to choose all the thoughts and emotions that show up for us, learning how to work with our emotions as allies and finding healthy and productive ways to manage and express them is where our true power lies."
Click here to read the full article
|
America's Mental Health Crisis
“Anxiety and depression have become a new public health threat for Americans of all ages, but we have the tools to resolve this crisis through better engagement, quality care, and a focus on people and recovery."
Click here to read the full article
| | | | |
