Organizers estimate that about 100 parents attended the spring session of “Parent University” at Oak Park-River Forest High School, a community-welcome event that offered guidance on navigating mental health issues and topics post-COVID 19

Parent University, offered free of charge during the fall and spring, returned to its in-person format April 19 after being virtual since the start of the pandemic.

The three-hour informational that Wednesday night was the first in-person session since November 2019. The focus on mental health was apparent at this session.

“I wish every school district, every community could do this,” said River Forest Township Supervisor Carla Sloan, of River Forest. “So many parents are struggling, so many kids are struggling, and even if you’re not struggling, you still want to create a sense of well-being in your home and I think people are searching for ways to do that.”

She added: “If we can help with that a little bit, as a school district, and as a community, as a township, as a mental health board, I think it’s our role to do so. We just think that it’s essential.”

Though Parent University was a collaboration of River Forest Township, Oak Park Township, Oak Park and River Forest School District 200, Oak Park Elementary School District 97 and River Forest School District 90, the event was open to the community — even other nearby municipalities.

Also featured were the Community Mental Health Board of Oak Park Township, Positive Youth Development (a township agency), Oak Park Public Library, Thrive Counseling Center of Oak Park and the Metro Suburban chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

Doug Bolton, a licensed clinical psychologist, was the keynote speaker, talking on “Self-Regulation and Resilience: Supporting Our Children in Their Hardest Moments” at the “Parent University” event held at Oak Park-River Forest High School April 19, 2023 in Oak Park. (Karie Angell Luc / Pioneer Press)

Mental health post-pandemic was the focus of the “Parent University” event held at Oak Park-River Forest High School April 19, 2023 in Oak Park. (Karie Angell Luc / Pioneer Press)

Mental health post-pandemic was the focus of the “Parent University” event held at Oak Park-River Forest High School April 19, 2023 in Oak Park. (Karie Angell Luc / Pioneer Press)

Families from the towns of Oak Park and River Forest, as well as others nearby, attended the “Parent University” event held at Oak Park-River Forest High School April 19, 2023 in Oak Park. In addition to information tables and a keynote speaker, refreshments were served. (Karie Angell Luc / Pioneer Press)

“We have a great partnership with OPRF. We love supporting OPRF students and their families and staff,” said Andrea O’Morrow, education manager for NAMI in Oak Park.

NAMI offers, “a number of free services,” which are accessible because the pandemic “brought a lot of things to the surface,” O’Morrow said. “We’re seeing concerns that were already there … [the pandemic] brought a lot of things to visibility.

“We are seeing that teens are reaching out a lot more than they have in the past,” O’Morrow said. “I think that’s the result of education, I think that’s the result of people breaking stigma. Teens feel more empowered.”

At the Oak Park Public Library, “We get upwards of 100 students on a daily basis at the library,” said , who is known as “Mr. G” to many teen library patrons.

Alexander Gutierrez, teen services librarian at Oak Park Public Library, said after the pandemic, a lot of the students are feeling very isolated and secluded.

“Us, at the library, being that safe, social environment for them is really, really beneficial,” Gutierrez said.

Amanda Lopez, community education and engagement coordinator of Thrive Counseling Center, engaged with attendees to let “parents know what resources are available,” Lopez said.

The Parent University program began with keynote speaker and licensed clinical psychologist Doug Bolton, of Evanston, who spoke on, “Self-Regulation and Resilience: Supporting Our Children in Their Hardest Moments.”

Bolton explained he served more than 20 years in roles of psychologist and principal at North Shore Academy, a K-12 therapeutic school in Highland Park.

“Any time you can connect what’s happening in schools with parents, and create and share similar learning, and be partnering together, I think good things are happening,” he told Pioneer Press. “Just the fact that I could be a part of this was wonderful.”

Parent Kelly O’Keefe, of River Forest, was in the audience for Bolton’s keynote and reported being “so excited” to come and hear him speak at the event.

“Even though my kids aren’t in high school yet, everything that he’s talking about, as far as helping our kids be regulated, is important for all kids,” O’Keefe said.

Other sessions at the event included, “I Will Survive: How to Help Your Teen Through a Breakup and “Keep Calm and Carry On: Managing Expectations and Your Own Stress to Help De-escalate Your Child.”

“I think most of us tend to focus on academics, right, and not the mental health or social aspects [of] “our children, so I thought this was actually a pretty good way to kind of start that,” said Wavyne Belance, a parent.

Parents expressed gratitude for the information they received.

“I’m very thankful for people who come in and kind of share their time, and giving their expertise and trying to help parents cope. I’m very grateful,” said parent Monet Pasquier.

Karie Angell Luc is a freelancer.

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