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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for NAMI CCNS
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251105T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251105T200000
DTSTAMP:20260504T081213
CREATED:20251014T183225Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251014T183225Z
UID:10003826-1762369200-1762372800@www.namiccns.org
SUMMARY:Chai and Chat Session 1
DESCRIPTION:Chai and Chat is:\nChai and Chat is developed specifically for individuals of Bangladesh\, Bhutan\, India\, Pakistan\, Nepal\, Sri Lanka\, and the Maldives ancestry. Chai and Chat is a three-part community conversation series designed to empower communities to share openly about the stresses of acculturation/integration\, family and community pressures\, generational trauma\, racism and inequalities in accessing care. It is an opportunity to hold listening circles for\, by and about South Asian Communities and provide the opportunity to validate and explore participants’ mental wellness journeys and discover avenues of support. \nTo attend these meetings\, you must be: \n\nOf South Asian descent (including ancestry from India\, Pakistan\, Bangladesh\, Nepal\, Sri Lanka\, Bhutan\, and Maldives\, and Indo-Caribbean individuals from countries including Guyana\, Jamaica\, Suriname\, and Trinidad & Tobago)\nOver 18 years old\n\nChai and Chat Series 3 Dates:\n\n\nSession 1 (Virtual): November 5 – 7:00 – 8:00 PM via Zoom. Zoom invite will be emailed to you after you register. \n\n\nSession 2 (Virtual): November 12 – 7:00 – 8:00 PM via Zoom. Zoom invite will be emailed to you after you register. \n\n\nSession 3 (Virtual): November 20 – 7:00 – 8:00 PM via Zoom. Zoom invite will be emailed to you after you register. \n\n\nCLICK HERE TO REGISTER\nRegistration Information:\n\nPlease fill out the information on the registration form\, and a Zoom link will be sent to your email. Once you have navigated to your email\, you can click on the “Join Meeting” button\, and you will be directed to the Zoom room.\n\nCLICK HERE TO REGISTER
URL:https://www.namiccns.org/calendar/chai-and-chat-session-1/
CATEGORIES:Classes
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251031T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251231T235900
DTSTAMP:20260504T081213
CREATED:20251031T201240Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251212T161621Z
UID:10005424-1761868800-1767225540@www.namiccns.org
SUMMARY:Year End Giving Campaign
DESCRIPTION:At Some Point…\n…We all need a helping hand. \nYour gift makes it possible. \nNo one should have their life overshadowed by fear or despair. Your gift will make a direct impact where it is needed most. \nAs the year winds down\, we want to remind you that a tax-smart gift to NAMI CCNS may also reduce your taxable income when you file for 2025 — if made before December 31. \nAccording to the IRS\, people over age 70.5 can contribute $108\,000 to charity via the qualified charitable distribution\, or QCD\, in 2025. That’s up from $105\,000 in 2024. Please contact a tax professional for more information. \nWe all could use a helping hand sometimes. Let yours be the one that helps continue to provide free mental health support for those who need it.
URL:https://www.namiccns.org/calendar/year-end-giving-campaign/
CATEGORIES:Fundraising Events
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LOCATION:https://www.namiccns.org/calendar/year-end-giving-campaign/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251022T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251022T203000
DTSTAMP:20260504T081213
CREATED:20250916T194726Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250916T194726Z
UID:10000066-1761159600-1761165000@www.namiccns.org
SUMMARY:Art & Well-Being: The Open Studio Process Webinar\, With Rob Lentz
DESCRIPTION:Art & Well-Being: The Open Studio Process\nWith Rob Lentz\, Executive Director of Open Studio Project\nOctober 22\, 2025\, 7:00 PM Central Time \nDescription: \nThis presentation will take participants deep into the creative process at the core of Open Studio Project’s mission and programs. Developed over 30 years ago by art therapists seeking a new way to engage with their clients\, the Open Studio process flattened the hierarchy of conventional therapy and restored the primary role of creativity in improving mental health. Now practiced all over the world\, the process has proved to be infinitely adaptable and uniquely effective at harnessing the transformative power of art for individual and community well-being. \nObjectives: \n\nThe core components of the Open Studio process: setting intentions\, uninhibited artmaking\, witnessing\, and sharing\nThe importance of establishing psychological safety and freedom of creative expression with the No Comment rule\nAdaptations to the Open Studio process developed to address specific populations.\n\nREGISTER HERE
URL:https://www.namiccns.org/calendar/art-well-being-the-open-studio-process-webinar-with-rob-lentz/
CATEGORIES:Webinars
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250927T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250927T120000
DTSTAMP:20260504T081213
CREATED:20250806T154107Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251212T203730Z
UID:10000058-1758963600-1758974400@www.namiccns.org
SUMMARY:NAMIWalks Cook County North Suburban
DESCRIPTION:REGISTER HERE FOR NAMIWALKS COOK COUNTY NORTH SUBURBAN\nJoin us on September 27\, 2025\, with NAMI Cook County North Suburban. \nNAMIWalks is first and foremost about people\, inspired individuals reaching out to each other\, one authentic story at a time\, to form a community of hope. \nNAMIWalks is the walk that has no finish line…only countless new beginnings for the people we serve – as we raise funds to power NAMI’s life-changing free programs and fuel growing awareness of our cause. \nNAMIWalks is a celebration\, a shining time and place for you to declare: “I will not step down\, I will not step away. I will be there with my community.” \nNo matter where we’ve been on our journey\, we know where we’re going\, together. \nWe are NAMIWalks.
URL:https://www.namiccns.org/calendar/namiwalks-cook-county-north-suburban/
LOCATION:Gallery Park\, 2412 W Lake Avenue\, Glenview\, 60026\, United States
CATEGORIES:Fundraising Events
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250925T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250925T203000
DTSTAMP:20260504T081213
CREATED:20250731T210547Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250731T210547Z
UID:10000060-1758823200-1758832200@www.namiccns.org
SUMMARY:Family-to-Family Class | September 25 - November 20\, 2025
DESCRIPTION:Do You Have A Loved One Living With Mental Illness?\nThe NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program is a FREE 9-week course for families and close friends of adults with mental illness. This course is taught by trained teachers who are also family members and know what it is like to have a loved one living with mental illness\, such as major depression\, bipolar disorder\, anxiety disorders\, schizophrenia\, and other disorders. \nMany family members describe this experience as life changing. Join the thousands of families\, just like yours\, who have gained information\, understanding\, and support. \nFall 2025 Class Details:\nDates: September 25\, 2025 – November 20\, 2025 \nLocation: Unitarian Church of Evanston (1330 Ridge Avenue\, Evanston\, IL 60201) \nTime: Thursdays @ 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM \nREGISTRATION IS CLOSED.
URL:https://www.namiccns.org/calendar/family-to-family-class-september-25-november-20-2025/2025-09-25/
LOCATION:Unitarian Church of Evanston\, 1330 Ridge Avenue\, Evanston\, Illinois\, 60201
CATEGORIES:Classes
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250924T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250924T190000
DTSTAMP:20260504T081213
CREATED:20250804T155240Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250804T155240Z
UID:10000062-1758735000-1758740400@www.namiccns.org
SUMMARY:Chai and Chat Session 2 & 3 (Hybrid)
DESCRIPTION:Chai and Chat is:\nChai and Chat is developed specifically for individuals of Bangladesh\, Bhutan\, India\, Pakistan\, Nepal\, Sri Lanka\, and the Maldives ancestry. Chai and Chat is a three-part community conversation series designed to empower communities to share openly about the stresses of acculturation/integration\, family and community pressures\, generational trauma\, racism and inequalities in accessing care. It is an opportunity to hold listening circles for\, by and about South Asian Communities and provide the opportunity to validate and explore participants’ mental wellness journeys and discover avenues of support. \nTo attend these meetings\, you must be: \n\nOf South Asian descent (including ancestry from India\, Pakistan\, Bangladesh\, Nepal\, Sri Lanka\, Bhutan\, and Maldives\, and Indo-Caribbean individuals from countries including Guyana\, Jamaica\, Suriname\, and Trinidad & Tobago)\nOver 18 years old\n\nChai and Chat Series 2 Dates:\n\nSession 1 (Virtual): September 9\n\n5:30 – 7:00 PM via Zoom\nZoom invite will be emailed to you after you register.\n\n\nSession 2 & 3 (Hybrid): September 24\n\n5:30 – 7:00 PM at Skokie Public Library in the Cosmos Room and via Zoom\n\n\n\nRegistration Information:\n\nPlease fill out the information on the registration form\, and a Zoom link will be sent to your email. Once you have navigated to your email\, you can click on the “Join Meeting” button\, and you will be directed to the Zoom room.\nPlease register for the first session\, then you will need to register for the next session separately.\n\nCLICK HERE TO REGISTER\n 
URL:https://www.namiccns.org/calendar/chai-and-chat-session-2-hybrid/
LOCATION:Skokie Public Library\, 5215 Oakton Street\, Skokie\, 60077\, United States
CATEGORIES:Classes
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250920T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250920T230000
DTSTAMP:20260504T081213
CREATED:20250729T213856Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251212T203721Z
UID:10000057-1758396600-1758409200@www.namiccns.org
SUMMARY:Pantlepalooza - A Night of Live Music and Community
DESCRIPTION:Live music in support of mental health \nSupport a great cause at Pantapalooza at the Toadstool Pub. \nClick HERE for more information and to register.
URL:https://www.namiccns.org/calendar/pantlepalooza-a-night-of-live-music-and-community/
LOCATION:Toadstool Pub\, 327 Waukegan Ave\, Highwood\, IL\, 60040\, United States
CATEGORIES:Fundraising Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250910T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250910T203000
DTSTAMP:20260504T081213
CREATED:20250818T185954Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250818T185954Z
UID:10000063-1757530800-1757536200@www.namiccns.org
SUMMARY:Talk Saves Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention
DESCRIPTION:Talk Saves Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention\nWith Luma Bonilla-Webster (She/Ella) From American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Illinois\nSeptember 10\, 2025\, 7:00 PM Central Time \nDescription: \nTalk Saves Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention is AFSP’s flagship suicide prevention education program that covers the scope of this leading cause of death\, what the research has found to be the warning signs and risk factors of suicide\, and the strategies that prevent it. \nObjectives: \n\nScope of the Problem: The latest data on suicide in the U.S.\nResearch: Information from research on what causes people to consider suicide\, how certain communities are impacted by suicide differently\, as well as contributors to suicide risk.\nPrevention: An understanding of the protective factors that lower suicide risk\, and strategies for managing mental health and being proactive about self-care.\nWhat You Can Do: Guidance on warning signs and behaviors to look for\, how to start a conversation with someone you are concerned about\, and ways to seek and offer support and crisis resources for yourself or others.\n\nREGISTER HERE
URL:https://www.namiccns.org/calendar/talk-saves-lives-an-introduction-to-suicide-prevention/
CATEGORIES:Webinars
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250909T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251130T190000
DTSTAMP:20260504T081213
CREATED:20250804T153419Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251117T154823Z
UID:10000061-1757439000-1764529200@www.namiccns.org
SUMMARY:Chai and Chat Session 1 (Virtual)
DESCRIPTION:Chai and Chat is:\nChai and Chat is developed specifically for individuals of Bangladesh\, Bhutan\, India\, Pakistan\, Nepal\, Sri Lanka\, and the Maldives ancestry. Chai and Chat is a three-part community conversation series designed to empower communities to share openly about the stresses of acculturation/integration\, family and community pressures\, generational trauma\, racism and inequalities in accessing care. It is an opportunity to hold listening circles for\, by and about South Asian Communities and provide the opportunity to validate and explore participants’ mental wellness journeys and discover avenues of support. \nTo attend these meetings\, you must be: \n\nOf South Asian descent (including ancestry from India\, Pakistan\, Bangladesh\, Nepal\, Sri Lanka\, Bhutan\, and Maldives\, and Indo-Caribbean individuals from countries including Guyana\, Jamaica\, Suriname\, and Trinidad & Tobago)\nOver 18 years old\n\nChai and Chat Series 2 Dates:\n\nSession 1 (Virtual): September 9\n\n5:30 – 7:00 PM via Zoom\nZoom invite will be emailed to you after you register.\n\n\nSession 2 & 3 (Hybrid): September 24\n\n5:30 – 7:00 PM at Skokie Public Library in the Cosmos Room and via Zoom\n\n\n\nRegistration Information:\n\nPlease fill out the information on the registration form\, and a Zoom link will be sent to your email. Once you have navigated to your email\, you can click on the “Join Meeting” button\, and you will be directed to the Zoom room.\nPlease register for the first session\, then you will need to register for the next session separately.\n\nCLICK HERE TO REGISTER\n 
URL:https://www.namiccns.org/calendar/chai-and-chat-session-1-virtual/
CATEGORIES:Classes
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250820T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250820T203000
DTSTAMP:20260504T081213
CREATED:20250717T152329Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250717T152329Z
UID:10000056-1755716400-1755721800@www.namiccns.org
SUMMARY:Defining and Understanding Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health
DESCRIPTION:Defining and Understanding Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health\nWith Alli Lowe-Fotos (MSW\, LCSW\, I/ECMH-C) From Start Early and Sarah Martinez (MA\, M.Ed.\, LCPC\, I/ECMH-C) From Erikson Institute\nAugust 20\, 2025\, 7:00 PM Central Time \nDescription: \nInfant/Early Childhood Mental Health (I/ECMH) is the developing capacity of the child aged birth to 5 to form close and secure relationships; experience\, manage\, and express a full range of emotions; and explore the environment and learn—all in the context of family\, community\, and culture. It is often misunderstood in a field that can overlook or miss the mental health of infants and young children. This presentation is designed for mental health practitioners and will define I/ECMH and guiding principles\, discuss early childhood trauma\, discuss approaches and practices for attending to I/ECMH\, and introduce the Diagnostic Classification of Mental Health and Developmental Disorders of Infancy and Early Childhood (DC:0–5™).  \nObjectives: \n\nUnderstand and define I/ECMH and guiding principles\nDiscuss the importance of observing and noticing behavior changes in young children and be introduced to the diagnostic process\nDiscuss and describe the I/ECMH approach and practices\n\nREGISTER HERE
URL:https://www.namiccns.org/calendar/defining-and-understanding-infant-early-childhood-mental-health/
CATEGORIES:Webinars
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250723T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250723T203000
DTSTAMP:20260504T081213
CREATED:20250620T160645Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250620T160645Z
UID:10000054-1753297200-1753302600@www.namiccns.org
SUMMARY:Overcoming Insurer Obstacles to Mental Health Care - You Do Not Have to Take “No” for An Answer
DESCRIPTION:Overcoming Insurer Obstacles to Mental Health Care – You Do Not Have to Take “No” for An Answer\nWith Joe Feldman\, Founder and President of Cover My Mental Health\nJuly 23\, 2025\, 7:00 PM Central Time \nDescription: \nCover My Mental Health is a non-profit that provides encouragement and resources towards overcoming health insurer obstacles to mental health and substance use disorder care.    \nCover My Mental Health resources include worksheets to address network directories that offer no in-network clinician\, template letters for clinicians to overcome denials for “not medically necessary\,” guidance to address barriers to telehealth.  \nOur resources for follow-up steps will be shared to further encourage available actions before complex\, legalistic appeals.    \nExamples of success stories will be shared from the use of our resources by patients and clinicians.  \nObjectives: \n\nThe audience will learn about common insurance company obstacles to mental health and substance use disorder care and specific tactics available to overcome those obstacles. \nThe audience will learn about potential actions that can be taken to push back against insurance company obstacles that are not revealed in insurance policies and may provide more timely results than formal insurance appeals. \nThe audience will learn about the important support available from friends or family members\, from employers\, and from government towards overcoming insurance obstacles. \n\nREGISTER HERE
URL:https://www.namiccns.org/calendar/you-do-not-have-to-take-no-for-an-answer-resources-for-overcoming-insurer-obstacles-to-mental-health-care-with-joe-feldman-of-cover-my-mental-health/
CATEGORIES:Webinars
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250709T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250709T190000
DTSTAMP:20260504T081213
CREATED:20250626T174121Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250626T174121Z
UID:10000055-1752084000-1752087600@www.namiccns.org
SUMMARY:NAMI Connection Support Group | IN-PERSON (Wednesdays @ 6PM)
DESCRIPTION:About the Support Group\nKnowing that others have similar experience is a relief to individuals who seldom get to speak without fear of shame or stigma. You can share your stories and ask questions with others who have so much in common with yourself. Our support group is led by peer facilitators with their own mental health experiences. \nRegistration is required. \nWednesdays @ 6 PM – REGISTRATION FORM \nIn-Person at Turning Point – 8324 Skokie Blvd.\, Skokie IL 60077 \n\n 
URL:https://www.namiccns.org/calendar/nami-connection-support-group-in-person-thursdays-6pm-2/2025-07-09/
LOCATION:Turning Point\, 8324 Skokie Blvd\, Skokie\, 60077\, United States
CATEGORIES:Support Groups
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