Friday, June 13, 2008 11:11 PM CDT
LifeLinks to kick off series of mental health presentations Thursday
By DAVE FOPAY, Staff Writer
dfopay@jg-tc.com
MATTOON — LifeLinks mental health center wants to tell people this summer about stress management, anger control and “a little more about what we do.”
A presentation on Thursday kicks off a series that the center will conduct on “universal” topics related to mental health, said Debby Cook, the center’s director of communications and development.
Lifelinks obtained a $1,000 grant from the Mattoon Community Trust to help offset staff time and promotion costs, and the sessions will take place from 6 to 7 p.m. on various Thursdays at the center. Cook said there’s no cost or advance registration required.
LifeLinks participated in the Mattoon Chamber of Commerce’s business expo at Cross County Mall last fall, Cook said, and at that time surveyed people about topics of interest or how the center could help them and their employees.
There were more than 50 responses to the survey, which the center wanted to use to help people “get to know a little more about LifeLinks and what we do,” Cook explained.
“We’re hoping it will in some way demystify mental health issues,” she said. “We hope it will make some people more comfortable with us and the idea that sometimes they need help with common problems.”
People who want to attend any of the sessions can come to entrance “D” on the west side of the center at 750 Broadway Ave. East, the location of the former Blaw-Knox plant, and will then be directed to where the session’s taking place, Cook also said.
The schedule for the sessions and their topics are:
- June 19, “Stress Management: How to Keep Cool in a Fast-Paced World.” The session will be presented by Christine Hughes, a LifeLinks psychosocial rehabilitation therapist and case manager for people with chronic mental illnesses.
- July 17, “Depression: When It’s More Than Just the Blues.” The session will be about subtle signs that may be indicators of depression and how to access resources or be supportive to friends or family members. The presenter will be Howard Levine, director of clinical practice and standards at LifeLinks.
- July 24, “ADHD: Doesn’t the Name Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Say It All?” The session will feature tips for families with children diagnosed with ADHD. The presenter will be Amanda Heath, a crisis clinician with the Regional Behavioral Health Network, a program of LifeLinks, that works with children and families in a seven-county area.
- July 31, “Anger: Practical Strategies to Control It.” The presentation will address the common sources of anger, identify the signs and symptoms that anger is becoming a problem and outline strategies to manage it. The presenter will be Amy Evermon, a mental health therapist.
-Aug. 7, “The Balancing Act: Having Quality Home and Work Life.” Participants will hear about the need to find that balance and the difficulties that arise in achieving it. The presenter will be Amanda Rentfro, who conducts a group that focuses on helping parents have an improved relationship with their children.
- August 21, “Grief and Loss.” The session will address what grief and loss are and how people can help get through them. The presenter will be Linda Weiss,director of the Regional Behavioral Health Network.
Cook said anyone wanting more information about the series of sessions can her or Barb Estes at 238-5700 or go to the center’s Web site, www.lifelinksinc.org.
Contact Dave Fopay at dfopay@jg-tc.com or 348-5733.
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