Libertyville Mental Health Organization Expands, Hosts First Meeting Sep 21
Libertyville, IL - Libertyville Health & Mental Wellness (LHMW) recently announced its expansion into the community to support all Libertyville families, young adults and community members. LHMW provides support through educational programming on mental health, its speaker series, workshops and small group discussions. The first meeting will focus on mental health and suicide awareness.
Co-leading the organization are Joy Bach, Stacie Nevins and Hideko Szymanski, three Libertyville parents whose children have all gone through the Oak Grove and Libertyville school systems. "When we started this five years ago, we noticed an uptick in anxiety among teenagers. We invited parents to come together in one room and talk openly about what they were seeing at home. We didn't know where it was going to lead, but knew we had to offer hope by shedding light, and let parents know they didn't have to operate as silos," Bach said.
Nevins added, "My son struggled for years with anxiety and hit rock bottom his freshman year of high school. I knew in my heart, I wasn't alone. There had to be other parents that needed help, needed to talk, needed resources, to hear "you are not alone'. And just like that, our personal stories brought our group together."
Szymanski shared, "With my family's personal story, I realized offering hope, being transparent and providing resources is a powerful tool! The only way we are going to bring change and stop stigma around mental health is by talking about it," Szymanski added. "In the end we never want anyone to feel alone on that island."
LHMW begins its fifth year with tackling tough subjects. Since September supports the national effort "Yellow Ribbon Week", the first meeting will focus on Mental Health & Suicide Awareness. LHS Student Marcie Langtiw, founder of Loop of Hope, and Therapist, Podcaster and Advisor for Paws for Patrick Dan Maigler will share their personal stories and provide insight on suicidal ideation. The meeting will take place on Wednesday, September 21st at 7pm at Studio Theater at Libertyville High School. RSVP at LHMW128@gmail.com. Can request Zoom link as well. Everyone is welcome.
Since its inception as Wildcat Health & Mental Wellness, the organization primarily targeted local high school parents and brought forth discussion on sensitive topics such as body image/eating disorders, coping skills, mindfulness, post-high school planning (college, community college, trades, employment), peak performance and mental strength skills and "A Day in the Life" with a dynamic student panel, among others.
LHMW has partnered with local agencies, such as Youth and Family Counseling, Simply Bee, Get Psyched Wellness and therapists throughout the Lake County and Chicagoland area. LHMW has also collaborated with District 128 in bringing films such as "Angst" and "Screenagers 2" to the community, as well as supported the LHS RealTalk Series focusing on mental health and drug and alcohol usage.
Speakers have spanned from therapists, D128 administration, to global executive coach from Amazon, mental skills coach from a pro sports team, holistic doctor, Libertyville High School students, alumni and parents who shared their personal stories.
For more information and to subscribe to communication, please email LHMW at LHMW128@gmail.com. Follow them on Facebook @LHMW128 and Instagram @LHMW.128