KidsMatter, Naperville Police Department holding youth mental health forum

KidsMatter and the Naperville Police Department will be hosting a youth mental health forum Thursday at the city's municipal center.

"Protecting Our Children: Understanding and Monitoring Youth Mental Health," supported through a grant from the DuPage Foundation, will begin at 7 p.m. at 400 S. Eagle St. in Naperville.

A panel of local experts will discuss the stress teens face. They'll also talk about the warning signs that children are struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts.

After the presentation, attendees will be able to speak individually with panelists and other experts during a resource fair hosted by the Collaborative Youth Team.

The forum will be livestreamed on the KidsMatter website at kidsmatter2u.org.

"Our officers go to so many calls involving young people in crisis, and so often we hear from parents that they didn't realize their child was struggling," said Naperville Police Chief Jason Arres. "We couldn't just sit by and not do something to try to help."