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Patrick Tolan PhD Addresses Children’s Mental Health at Julian Middle School The Multicultural Education Department, District 97, hosted an evening at Percy Julian Middle School with Dr. Patrick Tolan, Director, Institute for Juvenile Research, University of Illinois at Chicago, on Wednesday, February 20. Parents and mental health professionals converged and initiated a dialogue to better help parents and the community appreciate the dynamics surrounding children’s mental health. Dr. Patrick Tolan, joined by Esther Brodsky (District 90 social worker), Kari Smith (District 97 social worker), and moderated by Lydia Tuck (Executive Director, Community Mental Health Board, Town of Oak Park), addressed the many mental hurdles children often face and provided avenues for help and support throughout this vital period of development. Some of the issues discussed included: 1) identifying and addressing the signs that children are in need of help 2) scholastic achievement in relation to self-esteem 3) dissolving the stigma associated with seeking mental health resources and 4) the benefit and complications associated with social skills groups. Several community organizations were also on hand to engage attendees and distribute materials. These organizations included Family Service & Mental Health Center of Oak Park & River Forest, NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), and Pillars. This event was brought to the community by Family Service & Mental Health Center of Oak Park & River Forest, NAMI Metro Suburban (National Alliance on Mental Illness), Pillars, and the Multicultural Education Department of Oak Park Elementary School, District 97 . Sponsorship of the event was provided by the Community Mental Health Board, Town of Oak Park, and the River Forest Township Mental Health Committee. ABOUT FAMILY SERVICE: Family Service and Mental Health Center of Oak Park & River Forest is at the forefront of behavioral healthcare in the Chicago metropolitan area and provides a comprehensive array of mental health and wellness programs to address a variety of needs. Family Service is located in the Ray A. Kroc Center for Family Services, 120 S. Marion Street, Oak Park, IL 60302. Additional information about the programs and services of Family Service is available by calling (708) 383-7500, and at www.familyserviceoprf.org.
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