Understanding Grief and Building Resilience: Tools for Helping and Healing

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.

Info: 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, The Grief Connection Space, Pillars Community House (Buddy's Place), and Wellness House. More to come as confirmed.

Info: 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. Michelle will share some statistics and tips for processing grief/loss and how to support others.

Info: 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 what no one tells you about surviving it. She explores the small, quiet choices that helped her keep going when everything fell apart, what actually helps (and what hurts) when someone is grieving, and the truth she lives by today: you don’t move on, you move forward.

Info: 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.

Info: 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 support and services.

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

Info: 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 Workplace, The Grief Connection Space, Pillars Community House (Buddy's Place) and Wellness House. More to come as confirmed.

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