To celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month and National Children's Mental Health Week, we would like to showcase some uplifting stories in our Program Year 2022 Impact Report. Numerous programs that received funding from the WCCMHB through the ½ sales tax have concentrated on providing resources and services for children's mental health. To learn more about programs benefiting children’s resources and programs, check out the stories below in our impact report! Youth Services Network opens clinic, gives parent a lifeline (pg. 21) @rockfordyouthservicesnetwork Art, play therapy open doors for healing at Family Counseling Services (pg. 16) Funding Resurrects Children’s Home and Aid EPIC Program (pg. 7) @childrenhomeaid Stepping Stones expands with outpatient, children’s services (pg. 20) @steppingstonesrockford You can find the report online at r1planning.org/wccmhb-funded-programs and click on the green button labeled “Program Year 2022 Impact Report,” as shown in the video. #VideoDescription [Upbeat audio with the elements sliding into place on a white background with navy text “r1planning.org/wccmhb-funded-programs” then “Program Year 2022 Impact Report” with dark green dash line above and below the text and a light green rounded rectangle with “On our website” Below are the logos for Youth Services Network, Family Counseling Services, Children’s Home and Aid, and Stepping Stones. The video pans across the photos of the booths at the event for each program, many with smiling staff. The last page is a light tan and gray background with navy text “r1planning.org/wccmhb-funded-programs” then “Program Year 2022 Impact Report” with dark green dash line above and below the text and a light green rounded rectangle with “On our website” Below is a laptop and smartphone mock-ups of the website. The Navy arrows fade in, pointing to the button on the websites.]

To celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month, we're excited to share the Program Year 2022 Impact Report that we had at the Building Bridges event. This report features the achievements of the 15 programs from the first funding cycle that we supported through the ½ cent sales tax. It highlights the positive influence of these programs on our community. Stay tuned in May for more details on program highlights and inspiring stories. You can find the report online at r1planning.org/wccmhb-funded-programs (Link in bio) and click on the green button labeled “Program Year 2022 Impact Report,” as shown in the video. #VideoDescription [Upbeat audio first image is Jason handing out the report to community members. The second image is of the table with the reports laid out and the handout pages on display. The third image is a light tan and gray background with navy text “r1planning.org/wccmhb-funded-programs” then “Program Year 2022 Impact Report” with dark green dash line above and below the text and a light green rounded rectangle with “On our website” Below is a laptop and smartphone mock-ups of the website. The Navy arrows fade in pointing to the button on the websites.]

Thank you to all the organizations present! It was a successful event!

FINAL COUNTDOWN for this mental health community education event featuring two amazing speakers and a resource fair showcasing local mental health organizations. Let's celebrate #MentalHealthMonth by coming together to normalize important conversations about mental health, #FightStigma, and help prevent escalation during times of distress. Join us for this transformative event! Register at the link in our story or bio! Flyer #ImageDescription [A photo of Kevin Briggs in his California Highway Patrol uniform with his arm on Kevin Berthia’s shoulder in a blue button-up shirt, both with big smiles in front of the Golden Gate Bridge. NAMI Northern Illinois logo is on top left and “Free Event” in white on the top right. In the center is a bridge logo and the text “Building Bridges A mental health community education event. Friday, May 5 at 5:00 PM UW HealthSports Factory | 305 S. Madison St. Rockford, IL 61104” Below the image on the faded blue to green sections is a QR code and white text “Register today! Seating is limited. tinyurl.com/naminibuildingbridges 5:00-6:00 PM Mental Health Resource Fair & Hors D’oeuvres Meet many community mental health organizations, including the WCCMHB-funded programs 6:30-8:30 PM Speakers Kevin Briggs and Kevin Berthia Hear incredible stories from a suicide survivor and the first responder who intervened” In the white section in navy text is “If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event please call NAMI Northern Illinois at 815-963-2470 by April 28.” at the bottom is the logos of NAMI Northern Illinois, WCCMHB, Active Minds, and Kevin Berthia Foundation.]

This Friday, we are thrilled to collaborate with @naminorthernillinois to present a free community education event focused on mental health in honor of May Mental Health Month. The event will begin with a Mental Health Resource Fair showcasing various mental health organizations, including many WCCMHB funded programs. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from two incredible individuals. We are excited to have Kevin Briggs and Kevin Berthia as keynote speakers. Kevin Berthia is a suicide survivor and prevention advocate. Kevin Briggs is an international crisis management, suicide prevention, mental health advocate, leadership skills presenter, and Active Minds speaker. We encourage you to register to secure your spot at this exceptional event. The link is in our bio and story highlights. #ImageDescription [Blue to green top bar at top with a white backdrop and subtle blue watercolor on the edges. A Bridge logo with 4 circles in the blue to green gradient black text "Building Bridges" and a gradient bar with white text "A mental health community education event." in green and blue text "Meet Community Mental Health organizations offering assistance and relief to those struggling with mental illness." A light green rounded button with "Free Registration" in white text. Blue text "Friday, May 5 at 5:00 PM @ UW HealthSports Factory." At the bottom are the logos of NAMI Northern Illinois, WCCMHB, Active Minds, and Kevin Berthia Foundation.]