Community Mental Health Board of Oak Park Township

Join FRED Parent Support Group for a FREE community event on Tuesday, 10/29, 7pm, at the Community Recreation Center (CRC) in Oak Park. Joe Feldman, founder and President of the non-profit Cover My Mental Health, will offer easy-to-use tools to help you get the coverage you need. River Forest Township

CMHB, River Forest Township, and Oak Park and River Forest High School were thrilled to partner with Oak Park - River Forest Chamber of Commerce for a night of laughs while celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month this past weekend! A special thank you to the Comedy Plex Comedy Club and to Heidi Russell-Green of UCP Seguin of Greater Chicago who spoke about the benefits of employing individuals with disabilities throughout the year.

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and CMHB, River Forest Township, and Oak Park and River Forest High School are happy to partner with the Oak Park - River Forest Chamber of Commerce to celebrate the value and talent that workers with disabilities add to America’s workplaces and economy every month of every year. UCP Seguin of Greater Chicago Opportunity Knocks Oak Leyden Community Support Services, Inc. (CSS)

CMHB is proud to support UCP Seguin of Greater Chicago and its services for individuals with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities in Oak Park and surrounding communities! And as we observe #NationalDisabilityEmploymentAwarenessMonth this October, CMHB would like to highlight UCP Seguin's Employment Services and Social Enterprises programs, which provide job training, assistance in finding meaningful employment, and ongoing support for adults with disabilities in various industries, including food service, hospitality, industrial parts assembly, recreation and fitness, janitorial services, maintenance, retail, and health care. Learn more at www.ucpseguin.org

Don't miss tomorrow's deadline to register for the next for the next Rise N Learn webinar! Defining and Understanding Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health October 4th at 9am Learn more & register at: https://bit.ly/RNL_Oct4 Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health (I/ECMH) is often misunderstood in a field that can overlook or miss the mental health needs of infants and young children. This presentation will define I/ECMH and its guiding principles, discuss early childhood trauma, discuss approaches and practices for attending to I/ECMH, and introduce the Diagnostic Classification of Mental Health and Developmental Disorders of Infancy and Early Childhood (DC:0–5?). Equity issues within I/ECMH will be infused throughout. Presented by Allison Lowe-Fotos, Senior Policy Manager, Early Start, and Mary Reynolds, LCSW (she/her) Executive Director, Collaboration for Early Childhood, in partnership with Riveredge Hospital and Streamwood Behavioral Healthcare System

Thank you to all who participated in our 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline yard sign contest and congratulations to our four randomly selected winners! We appreciate everyone in the community who picked up a sign to help raise awareness and end the stigma surrounding suicide and mental health care! A special thanks to Downtown Oak Park Business Alliance for donating our prizes and to our partners at the Oak Park Public Library and Park District of Oak Park for helping distribute signs. Let's continue to spread the word about #988 and suicide prevention. You are not alone, and mental health support is always available. #youmatterop Village of Oak Park Public Health Department Thrive Counseling Center

If you or someone you know needs support now, call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org for free, confidential help 24/7. For more info on recognizing warning signs and starting the conversation visit: https://lnkd.in/ggyCC8yu #YouMatterOP

Suicide rates among older adults have increased significantly over the past two decades, with the largest increases occurring among men aged 55-64 and women aged 65-74. Factors that affect older adults can include declines in physical and cognitive functioning, changes in mental health, and other issues such as bereavement, loneliness, and lack of social connectedness. You can take steps to stay connected and get the support you need, such as joining local groups like Walk & Talk Wednesdays at the CRC. Get out of the heat or cold for an afternoon of walking, conversation, and gathering information about community resources. Register at: bit.ly/WalkNTalk2024 The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers 24/7, free and confidential access to trained counselors who can help people experiencing suicidal, substance use, and/or mental health crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress. Call or text 9-8-8 or chat 988lifeline.org. #YouMatterOP Thrive Counseling Center Village of Oak Park

September is #NationalRecoveryMonth, and CMHB is proud to support Way Back Inn this month and throughout the year! Way Back Inn serves individuals who are seeking recovery from alcohol, substance, or gambling use disorders with the overall goal of helping clients achieve continuous recovery. Learn more about programs and services at at waybackinn.org

It’s not too late to pick up your free 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline yard sign and participate in our social media photo contest! Join CMHB, Village of Oak Park, and Thrive Counseling Center as we observe Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and help eliminate the stigma surrounding suicide and mental health care. Pick up a yard sign at the Park District of Oak Park CRC, Village Hall, or Oak Park Public Library, place it at your residence so it is visible from the sidewalk or street, and make a public post with the photo on Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #YouMatterOP. At the end of September, four eligible contestants will be randomly selected to win a gift certificate to local restaurants and retailers! Full contest details and rules: https://lnkd.in/g-bQFxXD