Mental Health Recovery Day held in Woodstock

At Emricson Park this morning approximately 50 men and woman (and one dog, Brutus) gathered to celebrate Mental Health Recovery Day, part of the May Mental Health Awareness Month. The program got underway about 10:30AM, and James Carpenter, a Recovery Specialist at Pioneer Center and one of the event's organizers, introduced the first speaker.

Speakers included Lorraine Kopczynski, CEO of Pioneer Center for Human Services, Rick Mason, Director of Mental Health Services at PCHS, Lou Bianchi, McHenry County State's Attorney, Scott Block, Coordinator of the McHenry County Mental Health Court, Astrid Larsen, Manager of the McHenry County Crisis Line, Julie Gibson, Program Director at Thresholds-McHenry County, Alan Belcher, Executive Director of Transitional Living Services, Lori Nelson, CEO at Family Service and Community Mental Health Center for McHenry County, Linda Grieshaber, a Program Manager at PADS, and Sue Krause, director at YSB.

Not to take anything away from the fine remarks by the above, the highlight of the event was the remarks by various consumers of the mental health services offered in our county. For those not "in the know", the term "consumer" is how clients and patients of the various mental health services agencies are known. Several shared their personal stories and journeys and what these services have meant to them. 

The services of our county really work.

When James announced this event less than two months, I'll admit that I was skeptical about how he was going to put it together on such short notice. He assembled a team and got all the plans in place, and today came off without a hitch. I didn't meet others on the team, and I apologize for not identifying them for the praise they deserve. Thanks to each and every one.