Past Events


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(Concluded) 2020-2021 Virtual McLean County Community Behavioral Health Forum

(Please view the following available sessions and use the corresponding link to register.) 

To view previously recorded forum sessions visit our channel on YouTube


January

Unhealthy Coping: When to be Concerned

Date: TBD Time: TBD

Presenter: TBD

This presentation has been delayed.  Upon confirmation of a presenter and date, the website will be updated and prior registrants will be notified via email.

Individuals will be able to:

  • Identify common stressors during COVID-19
  • Understand possible healthy and unhealthy coping strategies for the stressors
  • Identify when an unhealthy coping strategy becomes problematic 
  • Know where to seek help when unhealthy coping needs addressed
  • Learn healthy coping alternatives

Understanding Shifts in Mental Health in Young Children

Date: January 7th, 2021 Time: 8am-9:30am

Presenter: Nona Waller – McLean County Center for Human Services

Adults will:

  • Understand what typical development for youth of varying stages looks like
  • Understand what a change in mental health may look like in children
  • Be able to identify anxiety changes, depression shifts, or other concerns
  • Be able to know possible resources for help for your child, how to advocate for them, and what to discuss with your pediatrician or other professional

View Previously recorded session: https://youtu.be/ys3-ZqWiKKg

 

Keeping Kids Safe; While Using Technology

Date: January 11th, 2021 Time: 12pm-1:15pm

Presenter: Ben Tracy – Safe Social Network 

Adults will be able to:

  • Understand how technology has shifted in the last decade and understand the differences in how different age groups use technology
  • Identify emerging issues and threats with technology and youth’s use of it
  • Learn tips on how to keep your kids safe using real-life specific examples

View previously recorded session: https://youtu.be/UsRpsL16i88


Incorporating Play and Movement When Days Are Now at Home

Date: January 14th Time: 12pm-1:15pm

Presenter: Sarah Tunall – Director of Youth Development, Bloomington-Normal YMCA

Adults will be able to:

  • Understand the importance of physical activity for mental and physical health in children
  • Know how COVID-19 has reduced physical activity and understand potential problems
  • Learn techniques and ways to incorporate play and movement into life at home


View previously recorded session: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uO-qEUvU5Y

 

NAMI Ending the Silence

Date: January 18th, 2021 Time: 12pm-1:15pm

Presenter: Colleen O’Connor - Project Oz & NAMI and Neal Iden - Project Oz & NAMI

Individuals will know:

  • Signs and symptoms of mental illness
  • Personal perspectives on the experience of those living with mental illness.
  • Recovery and coping strategies.
  • Ways to help reduce the stigma associated with mental illness.
  • How to help friends

Crisis Panel

Date: January 20th Time:  8am-10am

Representatives include: CHS Mobile Crisis; PATH; McLean County Triage Center; Bloomington Police Department; and other local crisis providers.

Individuals will be able to:

  • Identify the crisis services within McLean County
  • Understand how they interact
  • Understand when to access one resource vs another

In the second hour, individuals will also gain a better understanding of resources within McLean County and how to access them.


View previously recorded session: https://youtu.be/3d0fK0GRn9k


Moving from Anxiety to Wellbeing

Date: January 21, 2021 Time: 4pm-5:15pm

Presenter: Meghan Moser – McLean County Center for Human Services

Individuals will be able to:

  • Understand anxiety and other common mental health challenges
  • Understand how this impacts you internally and externally
  • Identify techniques to address well-being long-term
  • Identify strategies for dealing with acute anxiety 

View previously recorded session: https://youtu.be/RUC0j4bL99U

 

February

Best Apps for Calming, Anxiety Reduction, Mood, and Sleep

Date: February 4th, 2021 Time: 4pm-5:15pm

Presenter: Michael Raymond – OSF Health Care 

Individuals will be able to:

  • Identify apps and technology for aiding in reducing anxiety, improving mood, or improving sleep
  • Identify different apps specific to different populations or needs
  • Understand how the apps work, local resources, and potential costs involved

View previously recorded session: https://youtu.be/8yAr1pibuk4


Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

Date: February 8th  2021 Time: 11am-1pm 

Presenter: Keith Brotheridge - The Baby Fold 

Individuals will be able to:

  • Explain what ACES are and understand what we can learn from them
  • Understand the role of research related to ACES
  • Leave with resources for understanding ACES

View previously recorded session: https://youtu.be/fQq3E1tlr_o


Accompanying PowerPoint: ACES Presentation

 

The Principles of Trauma Informed Care

Date: February 11th Time: 11:00am-12:15pm

Presenter: Taylore Davis – McLean County Health Department 

Individuals, organizations, and HR professionals will be able to:

  • Know what it means to be trauma informed
  • Understand the tenets and principles of trauma informed care
  • Learn tools for becoming trauma informed and how they’re currently being used
  • Understand trauma informed initiatives locally and nationally

View previously recorded session: https://youtu.be/0NP_hgBhGXw



How to Incorporate Discussion about Emotions into Everyday Life and Emotional Regulation in Kids

Date: February 18th, 2021 Time: 4pm-5:15pm

Presenter: Abby Lyons – Regional Office of Education #17

Adults will be able to:

  • Identify principles of social and emotional learning
  • Learn how to incorporate social and emotional learning into daily life
  • Understand what emotional regulation is and the role of self-regulation in children
  • Understand why emotional regulation can be hard for some children (and adults) 
  • Learn strategies and techniques for helping teach and promote emotional regulation

View previously recorded session: https://youtu.be/MPyZERsSCV8


Understanding the Unique Needs of Mental Health Care for BIPOC

Date: February, 24th Time: 12pm-1:15pm

Presenter: Stacey Wiggins – Illinois State University MSW Candidate & First Star Academy

Individuals will be able to:

  • Know each of the BIPOC letters and their relevance
  • Understand the impact of using terms such as “minority” or “marginalized” on mental health
  • Learn statistics specific to the BIPOC community
  • Understand mental health issues specific to BIPOC
  • Know resources for information and help

View previously recorded session: https://youtu.be/uUpf4VvmOQY

 

March 

Impact of COVID-19 on the Mental Health of Older Adults

Date: March, 3rd, 2021 Time: 12pm-1:15pm

Presenter: Michael O’Donnell – Member of the Executive Committee and Interim Administrative Assistant of Mental Health & Aging

Individuals will be able to:

  • Understand how COVID-19 and isolation uniquely impacts older adults 
  • Learn tips for how to connect, even without technology 
  • Learn how to recognize signs for concern of older adults you love

View Previously recorded session: https://youtu.be/v0xHKjqwpcM


PTSD in Veterans and First Responders

Date: March 8th, 2021 Time: 3:15pm-4:15pm

Presenter: Kurtis Fraiser – Element26 Gym 

Individuals will be able to:

  • Define PTSD and know its warning signs and symptoms
  • Understand what makes it more common among veterans and first responders
  • Learn current treatment techniques and the role therapy can play in PTSD
  • Know available resources for veterans and first responders

View previously recorded session: https://youtu.be/FJdoKzr3dQk


Addressing Mental Health in the Farming Community

Date: March 11th Time: 8:00am-9:15am

Presenter: John Freshour – The Compass Counselors

Individuals will be able to:

  • Understand what issues are specific and common to the farming community relative to mental health
  • Understand how COVID-19 and 2020 has specifically impacted farmers, including those locally
  • Identify how a farmer struggling with their mental health may be both similar and different from those working in other professions
  • Identify resources


Restorative Practices

Date: March 16th, 2021 Time: 12pm-1:15pm

Presenter: Kevin Jones – Regional Office of Education #17

Individuals will be able to:

  • Define Restorative Practices and understand its history
  • Understand how Restorative Practices impact individuals and communities
  • Learn how to implement Restorative Practices within their own circles
  • Have resources for learning more about Restorative Practices

View previously recorded session: https://youtu.be/nVe_b0KScI4 

Suicide Prevention

Date: March 18th, 2021 Time: 7:30am-8:45am

Presenter: Kevin Richardson – PATH Crisis Center

Individuals will be able to:

  • Identify the warning signs and symptoms of suicidal ideation and suicide
  • Know signs and symptoms, even when contact is not in person
  • Learn how to talk to someone who is expressing suicidal thoughts and help connect them to care
  • Learn community and informational resources

View previously recorded session: https://youtu.be/9lTkeqKRUFo


 

April - May

Abuse, Trauma and Mental Health

Date: April 12th, 2021 Time: 11am-12:15pm

Presenter: Melissa Box, Clinical Director – ABC Counseling & Family Services

Individuals will be able to:

  • Understand the cycle and interrelatedness of trauma and abuse
  • Understand how trauma impacts mental health
  • Know when and how to seek out services, resources and supports for yourself or others

View previously recorded session: https://youtu.be/JAWWkQonq4I


LGBTQIA+

Date: April 27th, 2021 Time: 12pm-1:15pm

Presenter: Blair Brown – Psychology Specialists

Individuals will be able to:

  • Learn culturally competent terminology and language relative to LGBTQIA+ individuals
  • Know statistics and facts relative to LGBTQIA+ mental health
  • Understand internalized homophobia and microaggressions to know how to shift away from these behaviors

View previously recorded session: https://youtu.be/yR5yWKpNAbA

 

Self-Care and Resilience

Date: May 12th, 2021 Time: 12pm-1:15pm

Presenter: Sarah Stalter – McLean County Government 

Individuals will be able to:

  • Define self-care, coping and resilience and understand how they’re connected
  • Recognize warning signs that your self-care is lacking
  • Know when to ask for help
  • Learn new ideas for self-care