Let's Catch-up: August 2021
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. 
A Message from our Executive Director
CATCH is almost officially 3 years old. 

In 2018, I imagined an organization that would offer a soft place to land for parents in our community whose kids were struggling with their mental health. I never saw a pandemic, a country with citizens so at odds with each other, a dramatic and troubling increase in anxiety and depression across all age groups, or an unprecedented third school year affected by COVID-19 and all its necessary precautions. 

I want you all to know that CATCH’s incredibly dedicated team is here for the community as we navigate these challenging times. We are working hard to bring educational programming to Northbrook this fall that we hope will ease some of your concerns about your kids and equip you with strategies to parent at your best, despite the circumstances. 

Our team has also compiled an amazing library of written and video resources on our website for you to use at your discretion. Take a look - there’s a little something for everyone. 

CATCH’s Parent Support Network will once again be hosting Parents Connect groups and regular coffee talks this fall. Keep your eyes on our website, Facebook page, and newsletters for specifics, and please join us anytime for confidential conversation and support. 

Earlier this month, I bid goodbye to my daughter as she headed back to Colorado for her sophomore year at CSU. It’s never easy to say "so long", and I wonder where the time went. 

But, I’m forever grateful that her mental health journey propelled CATCH into being. CATCHiscommunity. Lean into CATCH. We can all learn together to parent to our values… not to our goals... and to teach our children compassion, patience, grace, and that mental health truly matters.  

Thank you to Anne, Julie, Rachel, Lisa, Pam, Heather, and Donna for all that you do. 

-Amy O. 
Amy Oberholtzer, a former aide at Westmoor Elementary School, has lived in Northbrook for more than 30 years and is dedicated to supporting the mental health of every child in our community.
My Red Said Coming to Northbrook
We know talking about our mental health nurtures it, helping us build the strength and skills to handle whatever comes our way. We also know it’s not always easy to initiate the conversation. That’s why we are bringing My Red Said to our community throughout the month of September… to provide a starting point to talk about our feelings.  

Everyone is invited to participate by visiting one of the My Red Said stations where you may grab a heart and ribbon, write a message of hope or inspiration, read what others have to say, and then ask one another: What does your red say? 
Find a Station

Thank you to these Northbrook locations that are supporting mental health.


My Red Said Stations will also open at Northbrook Junior High, Field Middle School, Maple Junior High, and Wood Oaks Junior High where students and staff are encouraged to participate.
We are grateful to the Northbrook Civic Foundation for generously funding My Red Said.

We also appreciate our promotional partners:
  • Northbrook School District 27
  • Northbrook School District 28
  • Northbrook/Glenview School District 30
  • West Northfield School District 31
  • Village of Northbrook
  • Northbrook Public Library
  • Northbrook Park District
  • North Suburban YMCA
  • Youth Services of Glenview/Northbrook
My Red Said is an extension of our Northbrook Cares, Community Together campaign reminding everyone of the importance of prioritizing connections to support our mental health. What does your red say?
Parenting & Pivoting in a Pandemic
A Virtual Presentation Sponsored by

Monday, September 20th, 7pm
We thought we were emerging from a pandemic, preparing to embrace some of its silver linings and deal with the trauma, increased anxiety, fear, and much more. Now, the Delta variant is forcing all of us to pivot, leaving many parents with growing worries about their children’s mental health and long-term development.

Dr. Tina Payne Bryson, PhD, NYT best-selling author and world-renowned parenting expert, is coming to teach us The Power of Showing Up for our kids, answer our questions, and help us thrive and prepare for whatever comes next.
Register and we'll send you the Zoom link shortly before the presentation.
Learning to Show Up: Implementing Dr. Bryson’s Ideas 
Wednesday, September 29th, 7pm

Do you want to talk about how to implement Dr. Bryson’s ideas and strategies in your own home?

Join us for a follow-up conversation. Zoe Novak, school psychologist from Deerfield’s Wilmot Elementary School, will facilitate a virtual discussion and help us learn to show up for our children.

Register, and we'll send the Zoom link shortly before the event.
Parents Connect Expanding this Fall
Parents Connect
Groups are forming for this fall’s session of Parents Connect, a program designed to bring parents and caregivers together in small groups to talk about the challenges they face raising children with mental health struggles. 

Last spring's participants benefited from it and asked for more time, so we are expanding the program by adding two more weeks. Each group will now meet weekly for EIGHT WEEKS. Learn more.
"I found the support group incredibly valuable. We spend so much time supporting and caring for our children, this forum allows us to find ways to care for ourselves.”

-Parents Connect Participant
Coffee Talk: Back-to-School Edition
Coffee Talk
Tuesday, August 31st, 1pm-2:30pm

How’s the start of school going for your family? Want to talk about it? 

Join fellow parents and caregivers for a conversation about what’s really going on… the good, the bad, and the ugly. 

We’ll share and support one another. We’re meeting in the backyard to enjoy the outdoors and stay safe.

Sign up, and you’ll receive the address shortly before the gathering.
Back-to-School Strategies for Parents
Advice from a School Psychologist
Are your kids ready to learn when they walk out the door to school? Read the latest entry to the CATCH Journal for some advice on preparing your student for the classroom.

Catch Us at the Farmers' Market!
Wednesday, September 1st, 7am - 1pm

Our CATCH team will be at the Northbrook Farmers' Market next week. Stop by for some CATCH giveaways and to write a message for My Red Said.

The Northbrook Farmer’s Market is located at Cherry Lane and Meadow Road.
Mental Health in the Community
Paws for Patrick: Walk for Awareness & Family Fair

Sunday, September 26th, 10am-2pm

Lake Forest Recreation Center
400 Hastings Road, Lake Forest
September is Suicide Prevention Month
We can all work to prevent suicide.

Check in with one another, watch for risk factors and warning signs, ask for help, and encourage others to do the same.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is open 24/7: 1-800-273-8255.
Mental Health News & Resources
CATCH is dedicated to making a difference in our community.
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