'Ending the Silence' events held in Waukegan

National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day is May 10. To shed light on mental health conditions among youth, the Lake County System of Care for Families is hosting two free public events titled "Ending the Silence," presented by National Alliance on Mental Illness Lake County.

Youth ages 13-18, caregivers, and adults who work with youth are invited to attend to learn about the warning signs of mental health conditions and what steps to take if they or a loved one are showing symptoms of a mental illness.

NAMI Ending the Silence presentations will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 10, in English and Thursday, May 17, in Spanish at the Lake County Health Department, 3010 Grand Ave., Waukegan.

Youth will meet in the first floor Grand Room; adults will meet in the third floor board room.

"One in five children in the U.S. experience a mental health condition each year," said Amy Greskiw, LCPC, project director for Lake County System of Care for Families.

"Through this program, we hope to raise awareness of these issues and to remind youth and their families that help is available right here in Lake County."

NAMI Ending the Silence events include a lead presenter who shares an informative discussion and a young adult with a mental health condition who shares their journey of recovery. Audience members can ask questions and gain understanding of an often-misunderstood topic, and, through dialogue, help advance the movement to end stigma.

For more information, contact Lake County System of Care for Families at (847) 377-8953, or visit the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center website, health.lakecountyil.gov.

Lake County System of Care for Families provides support for young people with mental health challenges and their families. The program creates meaningful partnerships in Lake County to enhance the effectiveness and accessibility of community-based services.

Services include therapy using evidence-based models, trauma treatment, family resource developers, psychiatric evaluation and medical monitoring, community training by health educators, and more.

Lake County System of Care for Families is a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration grant-funded project of the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center. For details, visit www.lakecountyil.gov/systemofcare.

NAMI Lake County is a nonprofit, self-help organization of families, friends, users of mental health services, and professionals dedicated to improving the quality of life for those affected by neurobiological brain disorders.

NAMI Lake County Illinois is affiliated with NAMI National and NAMI Illinois, giving its members support, education and advocacy at the local, state and national levels.

For details, visit namilake-il.org.