Mental Health Awareness

The month of May is Mental Health Awareness Month. What surprised me is that "Mental Health Month was created more than 50 years ago to raise awareness about mental health conditions and the importance of mental wellness for all." Source: http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/may

Do you know someone whose mental health is a little shaky? Are they getting the help that they need? Are you getting the help that you need, if you are the one with issues related to mental health?

Watch for community events coming up that will give people an opportunity to learn more about mental health and the wide range of services available right here in McHenry County. We have a "708 Board" here - the McHenry County Mental Health Board. It's a starting place for many to find out about services for themselves and others. For information, go to http://www.mc708.org/ or call 815.455.2828

We have our own chapter of NAMI - the National Alliance on Mental Illness. For information, go to http://www.namimchenrycounty.org/ or call 815.444.9991 Monthly meetings of the NAMI chapter are held at the offices of the Mental Health Board. There are worthwhile, ongoing programs and courses for family members and friends of those who are experiencing mental illness.

The Family CARE Project is funded by a six-year, $9,000,000 grant received by the Mental Health Board. See www.mchenrycountyfamilycare.org or call 815.788.4360 The Family Council recently formed committees of parents to provide education and training, support groups and outreach activities to help McHenry County residents. The first support groups will be established in the Algonquin-Lake in the Hills and Woodstock areas. Contact Family CARE for information. You can also contact The Woodstock Advocate for information by emailing Gus@WoodstockAdvocate.com

An early focus of the parent support groups of the Family CARE Project will be IEPs and educational issues for students. This topic was the Number 1 area of interest expressed by parents of students with disabilities, on a survey of the Family Council. Watch for announcements of meetings of the support groups, or call 815.788.4360 for contact information. Ask to be put in touch with Lori Kane (Algonquin group) or Gus Philpott (Woodstock group).

There are numerous other organizations with support services, such as SEDOM (http://www.sedom.org/), CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder), Easter Seals, a chapter of the epilepsy foundation.