Above / Indian Prairie School District 204 aims to lead the way in meeting the mental health needs of students and families during its 2nd Annual Mental Health Symposium to be presented from 8:30AM to 12:30PM Sat., March 9, at Metea Valley High School, 1801 N. Eola Road in Aurora, Illinois. (PN File Photo)
Aurora, IL – In an effort to champion mental health awareness and support, Indian Prairie School District 204 (IPSD204), in collaboration with West Aurora School District 129 (WASD 129), has announced its second annual Mental Health Symposium. Set to take place on Sat., March 9, at Metea Valley High School in Aurora, the event aims to provide enhanced support and resources to students and families navigating the complexities of mental health.
In response to the pressing need for expanded mental health services and resources, IPSD 204 developed this symposium to empower both parents and teens in their mental health journeys. Dr. Adrian Talley, Superintendent of IPSD 204 emphasized the significance of the event saying, “Our symposium provides opportunities for those who participate to grow in their knowledge about mental health and to find support, whether for themselves or for others.”
Over the past two years, Indian Prairie has pioneered successful programs to better support students and families with enhanced mental health services, including establishing Indian Prairie CARES, an innovative initiative aimed at advancing health equity and student wellness by providing mental health clinics in schools. Indian Prairie’s model was established through grant funding from the Endeavor Health, formerly Edward-Elmhurst, Community Investment Fund and the Illinois Department of Public Health. The district continues to set a standard for mental health services across DuPage County, with eleven school districts now following suit.
Following the success of the CARES Clinics, Superintendent Talley underscored the importance of continuing to shed light on mental health supports through the development of the Mental Health Symposium, expressing gratitude for the collaboration with WASD 129 and extending an invitation to other districts to join the cause.
Indian Prairie’s Mental Health Symposium will include a keynote session by author Dr. Devorah Heitner who is the author of Growing Up in Public and Screenwise: Helping Kids Thrive (and Survive) in Their Digital World. Dr. Heitner’s work has appeared in the New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal and CNN Opinion. She has a Ph.D. in Media/Technology & Society from Northwestern University and has taught at DePaul and Northwestern.
The keynote will be followed by a panel discussion with local experts to discuss the relevance of Dr. Heitner’s presentation in our schools and local community.
Breakout sessions for adults, teens / Community Resource Fair
Attendees can anticipate a variety of breakout sessions tailored to both adults and teens, covering topics ranging from practical strategies for managing anxiety to embracing resilience and self-esteem. The event also will feature a book fair, a community resource fair, and childcare services for children aged three to ten.
The event is free of charge and open to the public. Registration is required. For more information, visit www.ipsd.org/symposium.
Meanwhile… Linden Oaks One-Hour Virtual Webinar / 6:30PM Feb. 21
Linden Oaks Webinar Series: Mental Health Education for Parents of Teens, a Webinar- Virtual, is scheduled from 6:30 to 7:30PM Wed., Feb. 21. The title is Scrolling Minds: Navigating the Impact of Social Media on Teen Mental Health
- Speaker: Jessica Butts, LCSW
- Identify ways social media can impact your teen’s mental health.
- Describe self-regulation as a developmental skill.
- Identify 2-3 ways parents can help their teen develop self-regulation skills.
- Register » VIRTUAL WEBINAR
Indian Prairie School District 204 Mission
The mission of Indian Prairie School District 204 is to inspire all students to achieve their greatest potential. Indian Prairie is the fourth largest school district in Illinois, encompassing 46 square miles, including portions of Naperville, Aurora, Bolingbrook, and Plainfield.
For more information about School District 204, visit www.ipsd.org.
Editor’s Note / Residents may recall Naperville Unit School District 203 previously partnered with Devorah Heitner, Ph.D., founder of Raising Digital Natives, for a Focus 203 session aimed at empowering parents in a digital world. Back in January 2016, Heitner presented at Naperville Central High School and Grace United Methodist Church. Previously, she also had appeared in a TEDxTALK Naperville that is presented here.
