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NAMI South Suburbs of Chicago presents-

NAMI Family & Friends

Saturday – January 20, 2024

10 – 12 noon

Bremen Township Senior Complex, Oak Forest, IL

15350 Oak Park Ave, Oak Forest, IL 60452

NAMI Family and Friends, a 90 minute seminar that informs people who have loved ones with a mental health condition or experiencing difficulty with mental health how best to support them.  It is also an opportunity to meet other people in similar situations and gain community support.

 This free program will be offered Saturday, January 20, 2024, 10 – 12 noon, at Bremen Senior Center, 15350 Oak Park Ave., Oak Forest, IL 60452.  Register:  namisouthsuburbsofchicago@gmail.com

What You’ll Learn

The seminar is led by trained people with lived experience of supporting a family member or friend with a mental health condition.  They will walk you through the following topics –

•   Understanding diagnoses, treatment and recovery

•    Effective communication strategies

•     The importance of self care

•     Crisis preparation strategies

•     NAMI and community resources

  What People Are Saying

“Hearing personal experiences and how relatable my experiences are to them was very helpful…..  Learning that the illness is what can cause “cruelty” and poor decisions rather than the person…..

Join NAMI South Suburbs of Chicago and Timberline Knolls for a special virtual event on “Beyond Food: Understanding Eating Disorders” with Camille Williams, LCPC, CEDS-S, Eating Disorders Program Coordinator at Timberline Knolls on Tuesday June 13, 2023 from 7:00pm - 8:30pm

Camille Williams will break stereotypes and stigmas associated with eating disorders by providing facts about behaviors and the functions they serve. This presentation will also provide information on new perspectives towards food and body that can reduce shame and lead to recovery. Types of effective treatment and emphasis on working with a multi-disciplinary team will be discussed as best practices in treating eating disorders.

Click Here to Register

NAMI South Suburbs of Chicago is pleased to announce their 2nd Annual Minds in Motion Moving for Mental Health resource fair and fundraiser on Saturday May 13, 2023. Join us in celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month at Bremen Township Senior Complex Located at 15350 Oak Park Avenue, Oak Forest, IL 60452 from 1:00pm to 5:00pm for some good family fun. If you have any questions about the event please contact NAMI South Suburbs of Chicago at 1-708-852-9126 or email us at namisouthsuburbsofchicago@gmail.com WE hope to see you there!

What is NAMI Homefront:

A FREE educational program for families, caregivers, and friends of military service members and veterans with mental health conditions taught by trained NAMI volunteers - family members who know what it’s like to have a relative living with mental health challenges.

What you will learn in NAMI Homefront:

• Care for yourself and manage your stress

• Support your family member effectively with compassion

• Stay informed on the latest research and information on mental health, including PTSD, traumatic brain injury, anxiety, depression and substance use

• Understand current treatments and evidence-based therapies

• Navigate the challenges of mental health conditions on the family

• Manage a crisis, solve problems, and communicate effectively

When: Saturdays: October 29, November 5, & 12

Where: St. Luke Orthodox Church 10700 Kean Ave, Palos Hills, IL 60465

Event Time: 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Co-Teachers: Howard & Michaelyn Sloan

Please call or email for more information and to REGISTER

caprillife@gmail.com or (815) 630-0736

NAMI South Suburbs of Chicago, NAMI SSC, is proud to be part of NAMI Illinois initiative at the local level. NAMI SSC will launch its effort to outreach to underrepresented communities by offering Sharing Hope sessions designed specifically for Black/African American communities.

Sharing Hope is a three-part short video series that explores the journey of mental wellness in Black/African American through dialogue, storytelling, and a guided discussion on the following topics: Youth and Mental Wellness, Community Leaders and Mental Wellness, Black Families and Mental Wellness.

There will be an in person Sharing Hope session that will take place on Saturday, October 22, 2022, from 1pm until 4pm at the New Pasadena MB Church located at 11300 S. Indiana Ave. Chicago IL, 60628. There will be a resource fair from 1pm until 2pm, Sharing Hope will begin immediately at 2pm and will be followed by a workshop entitled iEmpower Renewed Mindsets sponsored by iEmpower Mental Health Awareness, LLC.

Link to Register

After two years of gathering virtually, NAMI Illinois is excited to welcome leaders from across Illinois to Palos Hills on Friday-Saturday, October 14-15, to reconnect, recharge, and rethink the future of mental health in Illinois.

Building Unity in Our Communities: Taking Illinois Mental Health to the Next Level explores what it will take to make Illinois the nation's most caring, comprehensive mental health community. Join Illinois' most committed advocates, family members, care providers, policymakers, corporate partners, and people living with mental health conditions for two motivating days of learning and action.

Early bird registration ends September 15. Discounts are provided for people who live with a mental health condition. Need-based scholarships are also available, and Continuing Education Units are available at no additional cost. Registration fees include a light breakfast and box lunch.

When: Friday, October 14 - Saturday, October 15

Event Time: 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM CST

Where: Moraine Valley Community College Conference Center, 9000 W. College Parkway, Palos Hills, IL 60465

Questions? email conference@namiillinois.org

Link to Register

NAMI South Suburbs of Chicago, NAMI SSC, is proud to be part of NAMI Illinois initiative at the local level. NAMI SSC will launch its effort to outreach to underrepresented communities by offering Sharing Hope sessions designed specifically for Black/African American communities.

Sharing Hope is a three-part short video series that explores the journey of mental wellness in Black/African American through dialogue, storytelling, and a guided discussion on the following topics: Youth and Mental Wellness, Community Leaders and Mental Wellness, Black Families and Mental Wellness.

Join NAMI SSC for its first Sharing Hope session in honor of World Mental Health Day on Monday, October 10, 2022, from 6:00pm until 7:00pm. This session will take place virtually via Zoom.

Link to Register

Light the Night for Mental Wellness is a community event that included a Suicide Prevention Workshop, Substance Abuse Resources, and information on how to Manage Stress and Anxiety with a candellight vigil at dusk. Admission is FREE with refreshments and raffle.

When: Saturday October 8, 2022

Event Time: 5:00pm - 8:00pm

Where: Sergeant Means Park 20712 Western Ave. Olympia Fields, IL 60461

Register by email: helplightthenight2022@gmail.com

NAMI South Suburbs of Chicago is hosting its third annual BURGERS FOR BLANKETS fundraiser on Saturday, October 8, 1 – 6 p.m. at Perros Bros, 3770 Lincoln Highway, Olympia Fields, IL 60461. NAMI South Suburbs of Chicago would like to thank Perros Bros for donating all 200 burgers for the event. The winter months can be hard for those in the homeless population. Many who live without housing also live with a mental health condition so please help NAMI South Suburbs of Chicago spread the warmth this fall/winter season. Blankets will be donated to Sertoma Centre Inc. Homeless Outreach Program and South Suburban PADS.

We are giving away 200 free burgers for the first 200 NEW blankets donated on the day of the event. Donate a blanket and get a free burger! For more information or to reserve your burger/s email the number of blankets you will bring to Perros Brothers the day of the event on October 8th at burgersforblankets22@gmail.com.

NAMI South Suburbs of Chicago is an affiliate of NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness and advocating for access to services, treatment, supports, and research. NAMI is steadfast in its commitment to raising awareness, building a community of hope for all of those in need, and providing essential education, advocacy and support group programs for people living with mental illness and their loved ones.

Additional information available at burgersforblankets22@gmail.com

Find us on Facebook – NAMI South Suburbs of Chicago

www.namisouthsuburbsofchicago.org

NAMI South Suburbs of Chicago and Sertoma Centre are co-sponsoring this FREE In-Person Training. safeTALK is a half-day training in suicide alertness that helps participants recognize a person with thoughts of suicide and support them.

Most people with thoughts of suicide don’t want to die—instead, they are looking for a way to work through the pain in their lives. Through their words and actions, they usually invite others to help them in making a choice for life. safeTALK teaches participants to recognize these invitations, engage with the person with thoughts of suicide, and connect them with resources to help them be safer from suicide. These resources could include health care professionals, first responders, or crisis line workers—among many others who have suicide intervention training.

SafeTALK helps participants become alert to suicide. Suicide-alert people are better prepared to connect persons with thoughts of suicide with life-affirming help. Over the course of their training, safeTALK participants will learn to:

• Notice and respond to situations where suicide thoughts may be present,

• Recognize that invitations for help are often overlooked,

• Move beyond the common tendency to miss, dismiss, and avoid suicide,

• Apply the TALK steps: Tell, Ask, Listen, KeepSafe

• Know community resources and how to connect someone with thoughts of suicide to them for further suicide-safer help.

Date: Tuesday May 17, 2022

Time: 1:00pm - 5:00pm

Location: Bremen Township Senior Complex

15350 Oak Park Avenue

Oak Forest, IL 60452

Link to Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/free-safetalk-suicide-prevention-training-tickets-333041795977

For more information, please contact Lisa Guardiola at lguardiola@sertomacentre.org or Call 1-708-638-8394

NAMI South Suburbs of Chicago is hosting their first ever Minds In Motion Moving For Mental Health Resource Fair and Fundraiser on Saturday May 14, 2022 from 1:00pm - 5:00pm in celebration of Mental Health Awareness Month. This will be a fun event for the whole family to enjoy. We are hosting a resource fair and have invited many community organizations to increase attendees mental health literacy and bring down the stigma associated with mental illness. Help us to raise funds in our Hot Dogs 4 A Hug Fundraiser where you can purchase a hot dog, bag of chips, pop, and a cookie for only $5.00 dollars. We will also have fun activities for the whole family to enjoy.

Arts and Crafts Table for Youth

Face Painting

Zumba Fun for Kids

Chair Yoga

Minds In Motion Event Walk

Community Resource Fair

Date: Saturday May 14, 2022

Time: 1:00pm to 5:00pm

Location: Bremen Township Senior Complex

15350 Oak Park Avenue

Oak Forest, IL 60452

For more information about the event please contact Marianne Bithos: namisouthsuburbsofchicago@gmail.com or Call 708-852-9126

NAMI South Suburbs of Chicago and Sertoma Centre are co-sponsoring this FREE In-Person Training. This is a two hour overview of mental illness that helps one recognize signs and symptoms and how to support loved ones with a diagnosis. Approximately 1 out of 5 adults, or 45.6 million people in a given year is living with a mental illness. There is no health without Mental Health.

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Have a basic overview of anxiety, PTSD, depression, bi-polar disorder, and schizophrenia

• Identify the signs and symptoms of each disorder

• Understand risk factors and protective factors of mental illness

• Learn strategies for supporting Individuals with a mental health condition

DATE: Thursday May 12, 2022

TIME: 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Location: Bremen Township Senior Complex

15350 Oak Park Avenue

Oak Forest, IL 60452

Link to Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/free-overview-of-mental-illness-training-tickets-333342375017

For more information, please contact Lisa Guardiola at lguardiola@sertomacentre.org or Call 1-708-638-8394

NAMI Family-to-Family is a free, 12-session educational program for family, significant others and friends of people living with mental illness. The class is taught by NAMI-trained family members of loved ones who live with mental illness, and it includes presentations, discussion and interactive exercises.

NAMI Family-to-Family not only provides critical information and strategies for taking care of the person you love. The group setting also provides mutual support, compassion and reinforcement from people who understand your situation.

Recovery is a journey, and there is hope.

NAMI Family-to-Family covers:

• how to manage crises, solve problems and communicate effectively

• taking care of yourself and managing your stress

• developing the confidence and stamina to provide support with compassion

• finding and using local supports and services

• up-to-date information on mental health conditions and how they affect the brain

• current treatments, including evidence-based therapies, medications and side effects

• the impact of mental illness on the entire family

Date: Tuesday May 10th through Thursday June 2nd

Time: 6:30pm – 9:00pm

Location: Bremen Township Senior Center

15350 Oak Park Avenue

Oak Forest, IL, 60452

Class meets twice a week on Tuesday and Thursday beginning Tuesday May 10th through Thursday June 2nd

For more information or to register for the class, please contact Marianne Bithos: namisouthsuburbsofchicago@gmail.com or Call 708-852-9126

2/23/2022 FREE VIRTUAL YOUTH Mental Health First Aid Training Co-Sponsored by NAMI South Suburbs of Chicago and Sertoma Centre

Sertoma Centre and NAMI South Suburbs of Chicago are co-sponsoring a Virtual Youth Mental Health First Aid course on Wednesday February 23, 2022.

A youth that you know could be experiencing a mental health of substance sue problem. Would you know how to support them? Youth Mental Health First Aid teaches adults who work with youth and adolescents to notice the signs and symptoms of some of the more prevalent mental health conditions that a youth or adolescent may experience . It then provides them with the tools and an action plan to provide support to a youth or adolescent experiencing a mental health challenge.

The course includes a 2 hour self-study part that must be completed before the 4 1/2 hour instructor-led virtual class.

In order to register for the class, you must be over the age of 18 and willing to complete both the self-study part as well attend the instructor led 4 1/2 hour Zoom class. The self-study part will need to be completed by Monday February 21, 2022

Must register by Monday January 31, 2022

To Register Contact Lisa Guardiola at 1-708-638-8394 or email lguardiola@sertomacentre.org

2/16/2022 FREE VIRTUAL ADULT Mental Health First Aid Training Co-Sponsored by NAMI South Suburbs of Chicago and Sertoma Centre

Sertoma Centre and NAMI South Suburbs of Chicago is co-sponsoring a virtual Mental Health First Aid class on Wednesday February 16, 2022.

A person you know could be experiencing a mental health and substance use problem. Would you know now to support them? Mental Health First Aid is a virtual class that teaches participants the signs and symptoms of some of the more prevalent mental illnesses as well as an action plan to provide support to a person experiencing mental health challenges.

The course includes a 2 hour self-study part that must be completed before the 4 1/2 hour instructor-led virtual class.

In order to register for the class, you must be over the age of 18 and willing to complete both the self-study as well as attend the instructor led 41/2 hour Zoom class. The self-study part will need to be completed by Monday February 14, 2022.

Must register by Monday January 24, 2022 THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT

To Register Contact Lisa Guardiola at 1-708-638-8394 or email lguardiola@sertomacentre.org

11/4/2021 NAMI South Suburbs of Chicago Annual Board Meeting - NAMI South Suburbs of Chicago will be holding our annual open board meeting on Tuesday November 4, 2021 at 6:30pm virtually this year via ZOOM. We will be reporting on what our affiliate has accomplished this year and electing our board members. If you would like more information or like to attend please contact Marianne Bithos at namisouthsuburbsofchicago@gmail.com or via our affiliate phone number at 1-708-852-9126

Help NAMI South Suburbs of Chicago spread the warmth this Holiday Season. We are partnering with Lassen’s Tap at 2131 183rd St, Homewood, IL 60430 on the second annual “Burgers for Blankets” fundraising drive on November 13, 2021 from 11:00am to 8:00pm. The goal is to collect 500 blankets and to distribute to the homeless shelters and families in need. A Free burger coupon will be provided for each new blanket donated, redeemable at Lassen’s Tap. So please stop by Lassen’s Tap on November 13th and donate a blanket for your burger voucher. For more information contact namisouthsuburbsofchicago@gmail.com or cell 1-708-852-9126

NAMI South Suburbs of Chicago and Sertoma Centre are Co-Sponsoring a FREE Training

Adult Mental Health First Aid

Date: Friday November 19, 2021

Time: 9:00am - 5:00pm

Location: Bremen Township Senior Complex

15350 Oak Park Avenue

Oak Forest, IL 60452

MASKS REQUIRED TO ATTEND

Must register by Monday November 8, 2021

To Register Contact Lisa Guardiola at 1-708-638-8394 or lguardiola@sertomacentre.org

NAMI South Suburbs of Chicago and Sertoma Centre are co-sponsoring a FREE Training

Youth Mental Health First Aid

Date: Friday November 12, 2021

Time: 9:00am - 5:00pm

Location: Bremen Township Senior Complex

15350 Oak Park Avenue

Oak Forest, IL 60452

MASKS REQUIRED TO ATTEND

Must register by Monday November 1, 2021

To Register Contact Lisa Guardiola at 1-708-638-8394 or Email lguardiola@sertomacentre.org