NAMI CCNS Webinar Library

Check out all of our past webinars covering a wide range of topics surrounding mental health.

Family Resilience: Tools for Connection and Balance

Presented by Rachel Adams, MA, LPC from Family Service Center

When one person in a household lives with a mental health condition, the entire family is affected. This presentation explores how stress, emotional regulation, and family dynamics interact, and how families can build resilience together. Drawing from trauma-informed care and developmental psychology, participants will learn practical strategies for strengthening connection, setting supportive boundaries, and balancing care with independence.

Aired January 21, 2026

Social Security Continuing Disability Reviews and Overpayments & NAMI CCNS Year End Review Recap

Presented by Jeff Rabin from Jeffrey A. Rabin & Associates

This session will help individuals and families better understand how Social Security’s Continuing Disability Reviews (CDRs) work, why overpayments happen, and what steps you can take to prevent them. We’ll break down the process in accessible, practical terms so you can feel more confident navigating your benefits.

In addition, we’ll share a brief Year End Review of NAMI CCNS, highlighting our community impact, program successes, and what’s ahead for the upcoming year.

Aired December 17, 2025

Finding Resources for Your Loved One; Treatment, Benefits and Housing

Presented by Bonnie Lane from Family Support Services

This presentation will break down and help you understand what supports are available at every level of care. Learn about treatment programs, explore benefit and financial assistance options, and understand housing supports and pathways.

Aired November 12, 2025

Art & Well-Being: The Open Studio Process

Presented by Rob Lentz from Open Studio Project

This 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.

Aired October 22, 2025

Talk Saves Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention

Presented by Luma Bonilla-Webster from American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Illinois Chapter

Talk 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.

Aired September 10, 2025

Defining and Understanding Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health

Presented by Alli Lowe-Fotos from Start Early and Sarah Martinez from Erikson Institute

Infant/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™).

Aired August 20, 2025

Resources for Overcoming Insurer Obstacles to Mental Health Care: You Don’t Have to Take No for an Answer

Presented by Joe Feldman

Cover 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. Cover 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.

Aired July 23, 2025

We Cry Your Tears: The Truth about Suicide in the Black Community

Presented by Rafiah Maxie-Cole

Aired June 25, 2025

Join us for an eye-opening, one-hour workshop where we shine a light on the pressing issue of youth suicide in the Chicagoland area. In this session, you’ll discover the latest statistics and trends that impact our community’s young people of color, and you’ll learn how deep-seated stigmas can silence critical conversations about mental health. Experience compelling segments from the documentaries “We Cry Your Tears: The Jamal Clay Story” and “While the Children Fade”, which bring raw, real stories to the forefront. Inspired by the tragic loss of 19-year-old Jamal Clay—this workshop will guide you through the multifaceted lessons his story has revealed about grief, resilience, and the urgent need for change. We will wrap up with a dynamic final discussion focused on actionable strategies to stem the rising tide of suicides in our communities. This is more than just a presentation—it’s an invitation to engage deeply, share your insights, and help forge a path toward healing and renewed hope.

Managing Grief: A Mind/Body Awareness and Somatic Movement Exploration

Presented by Richard Sims

Aired May 29, 2025

Is the pain of grief emotional or physical? This workshop will explore grief and how this often-experienced emotion arises during cancer and other chronic illnesses, whether you’re a patient, caregiver or someone who’s lost a loved one. Through a somatic lens, we’ll examine how the mind influences the body and vice versa, we’ll discuss how grief shows up in our bodies, affecting how we feel both physically and emotionally, and how to cope. Learn practical Body/Mind approaches that are designed to be used throughout your day, including gentle movements, body awareness techniques, breathing, meditation, embodiment, the principles of aikido, mindfulness, and more.

 

Navigating Chronic Illness and Mental Health

Presented by Stephanie Aaron

Aired April 23, 2025

Chronic illnesses not only affect the body but also have profound mental health implications. In this program, Stephanie Aaron Heyde, LCSW, will explore how these illnesses can lead to anxiety, depression, and emotional stress, with a particular consideration for cancer. Participants will gain insight into the psychological effects of chronic illness, and how they can manifest for people with cancer. The session will introduce tools and coping strategies to manage these emotional challenges and improve overall well-being, fostering a more holistic approach to care. This program is in collaboration with NAMI CCNS and Cancer Wellness Center.

Adolescent Mental Health

Presented by Maggie Nash

Aired March 19, 2025

This workshop will explore the current challenges faced by youth, the factors contributing to the rise in mental health issues, and practical strategies for supporting adolescents in crisis. Gain a deeper understanding of common conditions, effective communication techniques, and resources for fostering resilience and well-being in young people. This workshop is essential for parents, educators, and mental health professionals looking to make a positive impact.

Bridging the Gap: The Value of Virtual Therapy

Presented by Shawnna Puteney & Anastasia Theisen

Aired January 22, 2025

The presentation explores the transformative potential of virtual care in expanding access to healthcare, improving patient outcomes, and enhancing efficiency for providers. Virtual care is presented as a solution to address barriers such as geographical limitations, provider shortages, and patient convenience while maintaining quality and personalized care. The discussion covers how virtual care promotes equitable access, enables innovative care models, and supports integrated care through advanced technology. Evidence-based insights demonstrate how virtual care reduces costs, increases patient satisfaction, and optimizes provider workflow. The presentation concludes by advocating for the integration of virtual care into healthcare systems as a sustainable and effective approach to meeting the demands of modern healthcare. 

Mental Health Stigma and What You Can Do Today

Presented by Brittney Fair

Aired December 18, 2024

This presentation delves in the WISE program “Safe Person.” Understanding what it means to be a safe and supportive person to those who may have mental health challenges. The presentation walks through the Seven promises for someone, so they know how to show up for others, if they choose to be a safe person. Allows people to decide on how they want to show up and highlights what you can do today not only for yourself but also others to keep the conversation of mental health going.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Adults and Kids

Presented by Joshua Nathan

Aired October 23, 2024

Joshua gives an overview of the symptoms, diagnostic process and treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adults and minors. Joshua explains the complexities in diagnosing and treating ADHD, and well as dispel some myths related to this disorder. Additional resources of information about the disorder will also be shared.

Understanding the Relationship Between Mental Health and Substance Use

Presented by Erin Tegge

Aired September 18, 2024

This presentation will look at the relationship between mental health challenges and substance use among teens and adults. We will dive into various substance use trends, motivations for use and non-use and how mental health adds complexity in understanding, preventing, and treating substance use disorders.

How Food Can Improve Our Well-Being

Presented by Alexia Bauer and Robert Dannenberg

Aired August 21, 2024

This presentation will clearly explain the fundamentals of healthy eating and how nutrition affects our wellbeing. We will discuss current research on this topic and give practical advice on how to integrate the information into a lifestyle. Additionally, we will highlight the role movement and digital stimuli plays in nutrient absorption, emphasizing a wholistic approach to promote an equanimous, joyful life.

Understanding Eating Disorders

Presented by Maria Rago PH.D.

Aired July 24, 2024

Eating Disorders are both common and dangerous. What percentage of your time do you spend thinking about food, weight and body image issues in your life? This continuum has normal eating on the one side, and Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge Eating Disorder and ED NOS on the other. EDs often coexist with other mental health disorders such as depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, anxiety disorder and substance abuse disorders. In addition, ARFID is a more recently noted eating disorder, in which body image issues are often not present, but rigidity of eating and sensitivity to food texture are seen.

Understanding Trauma: From PTSD to Post-Traumatic Growth

Presented by Milica Popovic LCSW & CADC

Aired June 19, 2024

This presentation aims to educate the audience on the multifaceted nature of trauma by examining its manifestations and differentiating between stress, acute-stress disorder, PTSD, and C-PTSD. By exploring effective treatment options and highlighting the concept of post-traumatic growth, this presentation also seeks to foster a compassionate and informed approach to addressing trauma and promoting pathways to recovery and growth.

Personality Disorders: Persistently Stigmatized

Presented by Meghan Rosenzweig LCPC

Aired May 22, 2024

This webinar is designed to assist with the destigmatization of those who have been given a diagnosis of a personality disorder. We will explore how to best assist in setting boundaries, de-escalating a crisis, and providing ongoing care to reduce the need for the cyclical nature of hospitalization and refusal of care that often is associated with the diagnosis of a personality disorder. This webinar will also provide the basic information on diagnostic criteria for the primary personality disorders seen in most therapeutic settings.

Destigmatizing Schizophrenia: A Comprehensive Overview of its Diagnosis and Management

Presented by Dr. Matthew Filippo

Aired April 17, 2024

Schizophrenia is a complex mental disorder that impacts several aspects of an individual’s life. How do genetic, environmental, and neurobiological factors contribute to the development of schizophrenia? This webinar discusses the common symptoms, diagnostic criteria, and current treatment options available for schizophrenia. How does this disorder affect a person’s quality of life and what strategies can be implemented to support patients with schizophrenia in their daily lives? Explore the impact of societal perception and stigma surrounding schizophrenia.

Bipolar 101

Presented by Dr. Juliet Spelman

Aired March 13, 2024

This webinar will help anyone who is interested to know what bipolar disorder is and start to be able to recognize symptoms in themself or someone else. Recognizing the symptoms is key to intervening in a positive way for a better long-term outcome.

This webinar, Anxiety 101, frames anxiety in its evolutionarily adaptive context, breaks down its various components (i.e., physiological, cognitive, and behavioral), highlights ways in which it shows up in everyday life, and provides practical considerations for adaptively coping with it.

New interventions often take 15–20 years to become standard in medical care. BUT, there’s exciting news! In January, Boston Children’s Hospital unveiled a groundbreaking solution to provide instant treatment for mild and moderate cases of Anxiety, ADHD, Depression, and Disruptive Behavior Disorder. Parents, this is a game-changer! Pediatric providers can now prescribe Guided Self-Management Toolkits, empowering you to actively participate in your child’s immediate treatment. No more endless calls to find an available therapist or psychiatrist.

Do you ever wonder how brain function is measured? Or how to determine when someone is experiencing actual memory loss vs. a brain fart? This session will introduce you to neuropsychology and the measurement of related constructs, such as memory and attention. The listener will learn when an evaluation is needed, how it is conducted, and how that will benefit the person with respect to treatment.

A prerecorded webinar followed by an interactive Q&A addressing: the extent of the problem and its documentation in literature; routine clinical practice and early death; the various causes leading to such a label; the approach to take from the time a patient comes for help; Relevant and efficient evaluation should lead to effective treatment; consequences of inadequate treatment to patient, family, society; future directions.

After watching this presentation, you will:
• Understand the three parts of Medicare.
• Know what Medicare pitfalls exist and how to expertly avoid them.
• Be ready to make major Medicare decisions.
• Be knowledgeable about any costly penalties and how to steer clear.

What is the National Alliance on Mental Illness? Who can obtain their services? What services are provided? During this informal webinar, you will hear from a former NAMI CCNS Program Director, Nancy Susman, as well as our current Program Director, Bri Hoekstra who will spend time digging into the details of the programs NAMI CCNS offers. They will provide detailed descriptions, allow you to get a feel of which programs are most beneficial for you or your loved one, and how to obtain specific services.

This non-legal talk will cover various aspects of Social Security disability law and programs. Attendees will learn how Social Security evaluates claims, and Mr. Rabin will provide practical tips on how to prepare a strong case for the Social Security Administration. The aim of the discussion is to demystify the application and appeal process, empowering individuals to protect and assert their rights under the Social Security Act. Audience participation is encouraged, and materials will be provided for note-taking and reference.

For more than two decades, Bonnie has worked privately with families dealing with mental health issues. She has counseled individuals and families as they successfully navigate the maze of care and resources available for young and older adults. Helping families in times of crisis is her mission and her passion. Bonnie is currently a member of the NAMI CCNS legislative committee, the North and Northwest Suburban Housing Task Force and the Legislative Committee. Bonnie also sits on the Healthy Minds Healthy Lives Coalition through Thresholds and the Mental Health Summit.

The presentation includes a discussion of the housing crisis, lack of supportive and affordable housing for people with disabilities, mental health and/or substance abuse issues and how to navigate the system.

This presentation examines when to pursue guardianship, the various types of guardianship, who may act as a guardian, the duties of personal and estate guardians, and the limitations of guardianship. This presentation will also examine what happens when a guardianship proceeding becomes contested.

Long-term care planning is essential for seniors and individuals who have a disability, many of whom require long term care at some point in their lives. This type of care can be expensive, and without proper planning, it can quickly deplete an individual’s savings and assets. This presentation will be a very general outline of long-term care and other Medicaid planning strategies that can help individuals protect assets for themselves and their family, while still qualifying for public benefits and assistance paying for long term.