Let's Catch-up: July 2022

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.

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Are you Experiencing Secondary Traumatic

Stress?

While many people experienced the trauma of the July 4th shooting in Highland Park first-hand, countless others who weren’t at the scene are feeling sad, confused, scared, and sometimes even guilty for their struggles. Experts call this secondary traumatic stress. It is real and widespread across our community right now.

“Secondary traumatic stress or vicarious trauma is when you yourself have changed because you’ve engaged with a trauma survivor or a first-hand narrative of a traumatic event,” explained Dr. Julie Friedman, PhD, trauma psychologist, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Skyway Behavioral Health, Skokie, IL.

Left untreated, secondary traumatic stress can last indefinitely and lead to a chronic condition, said Friedman. “The longer you wait, the worse and more durable it becomes.”

Local-Trauma Informed Therapists

Check out the CATCH List

If you are looking for professional mental health support in the aftermath of the trauma in Highland Park, visit the CATCH website to view a list of trauma-informed therapists who are making themselves available in response to the shooting.

Many are offering telehealth appointments and some provide bilingual services.

Local Trauma-Informed Therapists

In the Community

FREE Virtual Support Groups

Friday, July 22nd
Friday, July 29th
11am

Our community mental health partners at Eating Recovery Center Pathlight are hosting a FREE virtual support group for anyone affected by the events of July 4th.

Help Highland Park Heal: Donate to The Balance Project

You can ensure members of the Highland Park community receive much-needed mental health care with a donation to The Balance Project, a CATCH partner through Together for Mental Health, An Alliance for Greater Chicago.

The Balance Project is working harder than ever to connect those in need to mental health resources and grief counseling and provides financial access to those resources in the form of grants. Each grant equals 8 therapy sessions.

Donate

Trauma Resources

Highland Park Parade Tragedy: Community Response Resources: Centralized resource for information about the mass shooting in Highland Park.

Coalition to Support Grieving Students: Provides advice to better understand and meet the needs of the millions of grieving kids in America’s classrooms. Designed for educators but helpful for parents, too.

Where families can get help coping after a mass shooting: Extensive list from the federal government’s Interagency Working Group on Youth Program (WBEZ)

CATCH Videos on Trauma Response: Visit the CATCH YouTube Channel to watch short clips that will help you start conversations with your kids about grief and trauma.

CATCH Coffee Talk

Listen, support, and share.

We know it may be hard to take the first step, but parents who come to Coffee Talk say they are grateful they did!

CATCH Coffee Talk is happening every other Wednesday from 12pm-1pm via Zoom, and you're always welcome.

Our confidential conversations cover the hurdles and pitfalls we all face.

Upcoming Dates:

August 3 & 17

Prioritize your mental health with the self-care of a CATCH Coffee Talk. #TalkAboutIt

Opening: CATCH Board Treasurer

Do you have finance or Treasurer experience at a not-for-profit like the PTO?

CATCH could use your help. We are looking for a volunteer to join our working board, oversee the CATCH finances, and participate in our ongoing efforts to support mental health in our community.

For details about the position or to apply, email Rachel Tzinberg, CATCH Board President.

Follow CATCH on Social Media

Are you following CATCH on Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn? 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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