McHenry County Mental Health Board

09/16/2026

🗓️ HOT SHEETS FOR THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 16, 2026! 🗓️

Looking for professional training sessions or local support groups? The McHenry County Mental Health Board has released its latest weekly Hot Sheet.

🔹 View the full schedule here:https://mc708.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-9-16-Hot-Sheet-FINAL.pdf

📥 Want to stay in the loop? Get these helpful resources delivered directly to your inbox every week by signing up here: https://mc708.org/hot-sheets/



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Disclaimer: Per Mental Health Board procedure, the Mental Health Board will not respond to comments on any post. If you are in need of assistance, please contact the McHenry County Mental Health Board at 815-455-2828 or [email protected].

09/16/2026

Recovery isn’t a straight line, and it doesn’t look the same for everyone. 💚

Whether you are navigating mental health challenges, recovering from substance use, or supporting someone along the way, remember: your journey is entirely your own.

There is no single "right" path to healing. Recovery can mean (Source: SAMHSA):

🌱 Professional therapy or counseling
🌱 Medical treatment or medication-assisted recovery
🌱 Peer support groups and community connection
🌱 Daily self-care, boundaries, and mindfulness
🌱 A combination of many different tools over time

Whatever your path looks like, hope is real, and support is available. You don’t have to do it alone, and taking it one day—or one step—at a time is more than enough.

If you or someone you know needs support, help is always within reach:

📞 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 (Available 24/7, free, and confidential)

📍 Find local resources: mc708.org/service

Be kind to yourself today. You are worth the effort, and your story matters. ✨



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Disclaimer: Per Mental Health Board procedure, the Mental Health Board will not respond to comments on any post. If you are in need of assistance, please contact the McHenry County Mental Health Board at 815-455-2828 or [email protected].

09/16/2026

What an incredible experience at the Community Connections Summit!

On Friday, September 11, 2026, we gathered under a shared mission: "BUILD COMMUNITY THROUGH CONVERSATIONS THAT MATTER."

Keynote speaker Shira Greenfield inspired us all with a powerful message on genuine connection. Instead of waiting to be seen with a mindset of "Why doesn't anyone notice me?", she challenged us to turn outward—to notice, help, thank, and truly listen to others first.

A massive THANK YOU to our generous sponsors who made this event possible:

⭐ Advocate Health Care Good Shepherd Hospital

⭐ McHenry County Su***de Prevention Task Force

⭐ Northern Illinois Recovery Center

⭐ MSU Federal Credit Union

⭐ Northwest Herald - Shaw Local

⭐ EPP Advisory Group, Inc.

⭐ Visiting Angels Crystal Lake, IL

⭐ NAMI of McHenry County

We are also deeply grateful to our phenomenal presenters, exhibitors, and volunteers for their dedication, as well as every attendee who showed up to support one another and invest in our shared future. You are the heartbeat of this movement.

Let’s carry this momentum forward—together, we are stronger!

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Disclaimer: Per Mental Health Board procedure, the Mental Health Board will not respond to comments on any post. If you are in need of assistance, please contact the McHenry County Mental Health Board at 815-455-2828 or [email protected].

09/15/2026

09/15/2026

Spot the Wheels of Independence!

Have you seen our Independence Health & Therapy buses rolling through McHenry and Northern Kane Counties? We provide safe, door-to-door transportation that brings clients straight to our vibrant Day Break Lounge for a day of fun, socializing, and specialized care! It is the ultimate worry-free ride for participants and a welcome breather for family caregivers. Call us at (815) 338-3590 to schedule your tour today!

09/15/2026

Register Now: “PAPER SPIDERS” — Community Movie Meetup & Discussion (In Person)

Join us for an evening of film, connection, and meaningful conversation at our upcoming community movie night featuring "PAPER SPIDERS".

🗓 Wednesday, September 16, 2026
🕕 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
📍 McHenry County Mental Health Board
620 Dakota Street, Crystal Lake, IL

This in-person event includes a full movie screening followed by a guided discussion exploring themes related to mental health, substance use, and recovery in a welcoming, community-centered setting.

Brought to you by:
Northern Illinois Recovery Center and the McHenry County Mental Health Board

Whether you are a professional, peer, family member, or community resident, all are welcome. No CEU's given.

👉 Register here:
https://mc708.org/event/paper-spiders/

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Disclaimer: Per Mental Health Board procedure, the Mental Health Board will not respond to comments on any post. If you are in need of assistance, please contact the McHenry County Mental Health Board at 815-455-2828 or [email protected].

09/15/2026

You don’t have to have all the answers—or even know what's wrong—to reach out for support.

Often, the hardest part isn't doing the work; it's just figuring out where to start when everything feels heavy, confusing, or overwhelming. You might just feel "off," stressed, or exhausted without a neat label for it.

That is completely okay. You don't need to diagnose yourself or have a polished explanation to take care of your mental health.

If you need a safe, low-pressure place to sort through things, MCHELP is a great starting point.

◆ Free & Anonymous: No pressure, no judgment, and completely confidential.

◆ Real Support: Connect directly with licensed, trained counselors who know how to listen when you aren't sure what to say.

◆ Available 24/7: Text or talk whenever things get heavy—day or night.

You don't have to figure it all out alone, and you don't need a plan to begin.

Download the MCHELP app or reach out today to connect with someone who can help. https://mc708.org/mchelp-app/



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Disclaimer: Per Mental Health Board procedure, the Mental Health Board will not respond to comments on any post. If you are in need of assistance, please contact the McHenry County Mental Health Board at 815-455-2828 or [email protected].

09/14/2026

From Rob Napholz: Jeff From Upstairs is a project started by my brother Paul. It was the combination of him and his acoustic guitar that delivered a thunderous blow of dynamics, but he always welco…

09/14/2026