A new school year brings the excitement of fresh starts, new routines, new opportunities, and new possibilities. But fresh starts can also bring uncertainty, pressure, and plenty of big feelings for kids and parents alike.
At CATCH, we’re here for all of it, with opportunities to learn, connect, and feel supported along the way.
Here’s what’s coming up at CATCH:
Save your spot for our Sept. 29 in-person educational program
Read three new In Real Life blog posts
Find connection and support in a Parents Connect group
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
Join us for our first educational program of the school year.
Screening at 6:30 pm | Discussion immediately following film
What happens when achievement comes at the expense of well-being?
Join CATCH for a documentary screening and honest community conversation about the pressures facing young people, from academics and athletics to packed schedules, competition, and the constant push toward what comes next.
Stay tuned for a full school year of educational programming. CATCH will host more Lunch and Learns and in-person events through May 2027.
CATCH's educational series is supported in part by a grant from the Northbrook Woman’s Club Foundation, helping us bring mental wellness education directly to our community.
PARENTS CONNECT | PEER SUPPORT
You're Not Alone. Find Your People.
Parenting a child on a mental health journey can feel isolating, but you don’t have to do it by yourself.
CATCH’s Parents Connect groups bring caregivers together for honest conversation and support from people who get it.
Parent support groups are available for:
Kids ages 6 to 13
Teens ages 12 to 18
Adult children ages 18+
Eating disorders
When we come together and support one another, we build a community that makes each day feel a little less heavy. Get the support you deserve.
You don’t need to have the right words, just a willingness to show up.
This summer, three recent high school graduates shared deeply personal reflections with CATCH, offering a window into experiences that can be difficult to see from the outside. Their stories remind us of the power of listening to young people and making space for honest conversations about mental health.
In Real Life: I Am Alone
A recent graduate reflects on the isolation of living with OCD, the difficulty of asking for help, and the healing that can begin when someone finally feels seen and supported.
After seeing peers struggle with stigma, comparison, and mental health challenges, Ben Sabin decided to create space for conversations that too often go unspoken. He shares how amplifying teen voices through his podcast has helped turn concern into advocacy and connection.
After years of hiding severe OCD symptoms, one recent graduate found the courage to ask for help. Their story traces the fear, vulnerability, and hope that came with therapy and the gradual return of a life that once felt drained of color.
Are your child’s mental health struggles affecting you and your family? Are you wondering where to start?
Reach out and a CATCH volunteer will schedule a time to talk, meet for coffee, or take a walk. It's a chance to share what's going on and learn how CATCH can support you.
Your support helps CATCH continue our mission to make it okay to not be okay. Ninety cents of every dollar donated enables CATCH to support local families, helping them prioritize mental wellness, so every child feels seen, supported, and safe.
