Aurora church hosts 7-day Project Awareness to encourage mindfulness

The last two years have been difficult, and few have been unaffected physically or emotionally. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and it is a great time to give our individual and communal mental health priority.

The Mental Health Team at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Aurora is offering a seven-day "Project Awareness" that offers multiple opportunities to become more mindful of your own mental health and more educated about mental health resources.

During the week of May 9-15, a variety of mental health professionals will be providing presentations, discussions, and Q&A sessions.

Here's an overview of the schedule:

• "Mental Health Through the Ages" at 7 p.m. Monday, May 9.

A school counselor, college counselor, family therapist, therapist specializing in veteran care, and elderly care professional discuss how to spot mental health issues in friends and loved ones.

• "Therapy Isn't Just Sitting on the Couch" at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 10.

An art therapist, music therapist, play therapist, equine therapist, and drama therapist share their craft and how it helps those with mental health issues.

• "This Is What We've Been Waiting For?" at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 11.

St. Mark's Mental Health Team facilitates a conversation about returning to "normal" after COVID and realizing that things are not as they were.

• "First Responders: Crisis Intervention Training" at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 12.

Kane County Sheriff Ron Hain, with social workers and mental health professionals, discuss how training first responders in Crisis Intervention Training can help de-escalate mental health issues.

• "Stress Reliever Workshop: Yoga and Meditation" at 10 a.m. Friday, May 13.

Aurora University instructor Annie Craig leads a yoga and meditation class to provide hands-on experience of how these practices can support mental health.

• "Sabbath: Rest Matters for Your Mental Health" on Saturday, May 14.

Instead of an event, this is a day for making intentional time to rest on your own. St. Mark's Mental Health Team will provide an article you can read at your leisure.

• "You Are Not Alone" at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, May 15.

Sara Gray, executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness-Kane-south, DeKalb, and Kendall, will share what supportive services are available, with an open Q&A.

St. Mark's Lutheran Church is located at 27 S Edgelawn Drive. All events are free and open to the community.

For information, contact (630) 897-6891 or office@stmarksaurora.net or visit stmarksaurora.net/AWARE.