Let's Catch-up: August 2023
Our mission is to empower families to foster resilience and prioritize mental health and emotional wellness in their children through educational programming, access to resources, and peer support. 
Let's take the heat off our kids...
Ninety degrees is not exactly ideal weather for the start of school... and that means it's more important than ever that, as parents, we chill out. (Cringy, we know.)

The point is our kids are coming home from school after a long, hot day. While they may not always feel the heat literally, they do experience it figuratively.

Let's help them take down the temperature.

Whether it's an ice cold lemonade when they get off the bus, offering space to blab about what happened in class, or sitting together in silence, we can make intentional choices about how we interact with our kids.

It's called purposeful parenting, and when we make mental health our guiding light, everyone shines.

#parentingwithpurpose #prioritizingmentalhealth #valuingconnections
In this Issue
  • CATCH Lunch & Learn
  • Parenting the Mental Health Generation: The Power of Stories
  • My Red Said
  • Community Events & Programs
  • Volunteer Spotlight: Jen Diehl
CATCH Lunch & Learn
Raising Digital Natives: Ensuring Our Kids Use Tech Responsibly
Tuesday, September 12, 2023 @ 12pm, via Zoom

Are you worried about your kids' relationship with technology?

Do you really know what they do or see while on their phones?
Brittani Sitar
Join us and learn:

  • how to help children navigate their digital landscape wisely

  • why it's important to maintain authentic connection with your children around their tech use... and how to do so! 

Speaker: Brittani Sitar, Addiction Counselor, Mental Health Educator
Parenting the Mental Health Generation
CATCH Podcast
How do you create a space where kids can unwind and feel comfortable expressing themselves?

Librarian Tara LaCerra from Northbrook's Westmoor Elementary School has some ideas.

In the first episode of our new season, she offers a glimpse of what's happening amongst all those books at her library and the power that comes from the stories on each page.

It's a heart warming conversation that brought our hosts to tears. Grab a tissue. You just might need it.
Find the CATCH podcast anywhere you get your podcasts.
YouTube logo
Parenting the Mental Health Generation, the CATCH podcast, is also available on the CATCH YouTube Channel.
My Red Said: Coming Soon
Start the Conversation
For the third year in a row, CATCH is hosting My Red Said, a public awareness campaign designed to encourage conversations about mental health. 

Coming up in September, My Red Said stations will open at the following schools, inviting students and staff to write a note of hope or compassion on a heart that will hang on a red ribbon.
• Glenbrook North H.S.
• Glenbrook South H.S.
• Attea Middle Schol
• Field Middle School
• Maple School
• Northbrook Junior High
• Springman Junior High
• Wood Oaks Junior High

You will also find a My Red Said station at the Northbrook Public Library.

This project is possible thanks to a generous grant from Northfield Township.

Thank you to our friends at TotalLink2 Community for helping us prepare the My Red Said ribbons! #catchiscommunity
Parent Support Network
New! CATCH Conversations

Are your child's mental health struggles impacting you and your family? Are you wondering how to start finding help?

We recommend seeking support for yourself first with a CATCH Conversation.

Sign up and a CATCH volunteer will reach out to schedule a time to talk, meet for a cup of coffee, or go for a walk to give you a chance to share what's going on and learn how CATCH can support you. 
Parents Connect: Peer Support
You are not alone.

Plenty of parents are facing similar challenges raising children with mental health struggles.

When we come together and support one another, we build a community that makes each day easier.

Parents Connect groups are meeting weekly.

Parents Connect
Looking for professional support?
CATCH is here to help you find a mental health provider.

Look through our lists of providers or send a confidential email to CATCH, and we will provide you with names of trusted practices that might meet your needs. 
Community Events & Programs
How to Talk to Children About Scary Things
  • Wednesday, September 20th @ 7pm
  • Divine Mercy Parish, Sacred Heart Campus, 1090 Gage St., Winnetka
  • Speaker: Dr. Karen Cassiday
  • More info

Managing Your Child's Anxiety at Home
  • A free webinar for parents and caregivers presented by Rogers Behavioral Health
  • Monday, August 28 @ 7pm
  • More info

Screen Dependence Program
  • In-person at Compass Health Center's Chicago location
  • Ages 8-14
  • More info

Tween-Specific Program
  • Plena Mind Center is launching a program on September 11 to meet the unique needs of kids during a transformative time.
  • Contact Plena to express your interest and get more information
We couldn't do what we do without our amazing volunteers!
Follow CATCH on Social Media
Are you following CATCH on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram? Stay up-to-date on all things CATCH and mental health in our community.
CATCH is dedicated to making a difference in our community.
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