Understanding Grief and Building Resilience: Tools for Helping and Healing

Understanding Grief and Building Resilience: Tools for Helping and Healing

  • Ages 14+

This free event features a panel of grief and mental health experts, along with a resource fair to support adults and high school students.

By OptWell

Date and time

Location

The Community House

415 West 8th Street Hinsdale, IL 60521

Lineup

Agenda

6:00 PM

Resource Room - Visit tables of local organizations to obtain resources

Open 6:00-6:30 pm and 8:00-8:30 pm. Organizations that will have tables include: The Community House, OptWell, NAMI Metro Suburban, The Loft at 8 Corners, The Grief Company/Widows in the Workplace, T...

6:30 PM

Welcome -Dan Janowick (The Community House) and Kris Lonsway, PhD (OptWell)

Normalizing Conversations around Grief

Michelle Halm

Michelle Halm, LPC, PEL, FT, will share why grief is relevant for everyone at some point and why it's beneficial to normalize the conversation and reduce stigma. Grief extends beyond the loss of life...

Behind the Headlines: The Real Story of Loss, Resilience, and a Mom's Strength

Jody LaVoie

When grief becomes public, survival becomes private. In this powerful keynote, Jody LaVoie shares the real story behind the news cameras; the physical, emotional, and mental toll of sudden loss, and ...

Building Resilience and Strengthening Mental Wellness

Alisa Messana

Alisa Messana of The Community House Counseling Center will discuss how to tell if your teen or child is struggling and share tips and tools on how to help them become more resilient.

Mental Health Support at NAMI Metro Suburban

Andrea O'Morrow

Andrea will give an overview of the services and some FAQ's for both The Living Rooms (La Grange and Summit) and The Loft at 8 Corners (Brookfield). These are safe spaces providing mental health supp...

Q&A with Audience and Speaker Panel

Kris Lonsway, PhD, will moderate a Q&A with the audience and the speakers including Jody LaVoie, Michelle Halm, Alisa Messana, and Shabana Sheikh.

Wrap up

8:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Resource Fair Open Again - Visit tables of organizations to obtain resources

Organizations that will have tables include: Organizations that will have tables include: The Community House, OptWell, NAMI Metro Suburban, The Loft at 8 Corners, The Grief Company/Widows in the Wor...

About this event

  • Event lasts 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Ages 14+
  • Free venue parking

Understanding Grief and Building Resilience: Tools for Helping and Healing

Communities across the western suburbs have experienced significant loss in recent years, including tragic teen and adult suicides and fatal car accidents. In response, OptWell and The Community House—along with grief and mental health experts and nonprofit partners—are coming together to support both adults and high school students who are navigating loss or supporting someone who is.

The event will feature experts sharing their stories and providing attendees with the tools, support, and resources to educate and help those in our communities heal.

Frequently asked questions

Is there parking?

Yes, there is parking in the lot of The Community House as well as street parking.

What is the Resource Fair?

Organizations who support mental wellness will have tables with representatives to provide additional resources and answer any questions. Resource fair will be open 6:00 - 6:30 pm and again 8:00-8:30 pm, after the presentations and panel Q&A.

How long is the presentation?

The presentations and panel Q&A will be approximately 90 minutes. You can visit the Resource Fair either before and/or after the presentations.

Will there be ASL or Spanish interpretations?

Please email us at info@optwell.org to request either ASL or Spanish interpretation.

Tags

Organized by

OptWell

OptWell, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, inspires the health and wellness of people who live, work, and play in Chicago’s western suburbs through education, connection to resources, and social support, making healthy choices easier.

OptWell is working toward a future where prevention and healthy habits enable everyone to improve their quality of life

FreeSep 17 · 6:30 PM CDT