Speaker Series
NAMI DuPage knows how important it is to provide information on the best educational and supportive services available for people affected by mental illness and for community organizations and service providers.
Through the NAMI DuPage Speaker Series, we invite professionals and peers to the table to speak on their experiences and knowledge as it relates to important topics. These presentations are open to anyone: family members, individuals, professionals, or general community members.
Video Conferencing
View our instructions on how to join a meeting here (PDF).
Need a video walkthrough? Watch this to learn how to access a Zoom meeting via a desktop or laptop computer.
Please Click Here to review Zoom’s Privacy Policy. Zoom is a HIPAA-compliant video conferencing tool that is completely safe, secure, and confidential, and will allow us to continue our services and care for our community while also protecting them by practicing physical distancing.
If you have any questions about online support or other resources during this time, please contact Patty Johnstone at p.johnstone@namidupage.org or 630-752-0066 x 205.
*NEW*
Redefining Recovery
A roadmap from Resolutions to Goals

Join us Tuesday, January 26 for a session on the differences between a dream and a goal. Hear from Kathryn Dittemore, LCSW, CRSS, Cindy Mayhew, CRSS, CPRS, WRAP Educator, and Henry Tyler, a NAMI DuPage Peer Counselor.
Kathryn Dittemore, LCSW, CRSS
Kathryn serves as a Public Service Administrator for the IL Department of Human Services (DHS), Division of Mental Health (DMH), Wellness and Recovery Support Services. Kathryn began her public service career in 1999 as a Psychiatric Social Worker at Madden Mental Health Center providing in-patient social work services, facilitating WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Planning) groups, and advocating for person-centered recovery oriented treatment approaches. As a person in recovery, Kathryn recognizes the power of personal voice and choice in all aspects of one’s life. Kathryn is a Certified Recovery Support Specialist, WRAP facilitator, and Family to Family educator. She identifies nature and outdoor activities as primary components in her personal wellness. Kathryn is an avid bike commuter and loves to sea kayak and cross country ski.
Cindy Mayhew, CRSS, CPRS, WRAP Educator
Cindy is the Mental Health Recovery Support Specialist for the State of Illinois Division of Mental Health in Region 5 Metro East. Cindy has her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and is a WRAP® Recovery Educator and a Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) and CPRS. She provides WRAP® classes, seminars, and orientations to consumers and agencies and is part of the training team for Region 5 WRAP Facilitator training since 2007. Cindy is the Coordinator for the Statewide Recovery & Empowerment Calls as well as the CRSS Fundamentals Training. She is a member of the training team for the Division of Mental Health’s Wellness and Recovery Services.
Register for Redefining Recovery HERE.

*New Series*
New Year,
New You
Organization
January 21, 2021, 7 PM

Learn how to create organization within your home to create a more relaxing, and stress-free living environment.
Nichole Gehman, Founder of Organize by Designe
* Register for the Organization Workshop HERE
Financial Fitness
January 28, 2021, 7 PM
Nereida Rodriguez, Financial Fitness Coach at H.O.M.E. DuPage
Learn how to differentiate between wants and needs and how to budget
* Register for the Financial Fitness Workshop HERE
Past Virtual Events
More of these workshops to be scheduled in 2021 – stay tuned!
New Year, New You: Goal Setting
January 7, 2021
Audrey Burris, Community Education Coordinator
See the handouts from the session HERE.
NAMI DuPage & the Pandemic
Reflecting on 2020 & Plans for 2021
December 8, 2020
View the Recording HERE.
NAMI Family and Friends
November 17 & 30, 2020
The seminar is led by those with lived experience of supporting a family member with a mental health condition. They will walk you through the following topics.
- Understanding diagnoses, treatment and recovery
- Effective communication strategies
- The importance of self-care
- Crisis preparation strategies
- NAMI and community resources
Download the Family and Friends Participant Companion E-book HERE
(If you would like to order a printed spiral bound version of this guide, please contact Claire at c.underwood@namidupage.org. The cost is $10, plus $3 S&H. Other languages are also available, please email Claire for language availability.)
These seminars are not recorded. Please check back for future dates for this presentation throughout the year.
Wellness & Job Searching: Maintaining Your Sanity, Creativity, and Motivation
October 29, 2020
View SlidesHERE.
View RecordingHERE.

RTA Group Transit Orientation Presentation
August 27, 2020
The RTA believes in promoting travel independence and empowering customers with mobility options.
Presentation by Linda Chamberlain and Sarah Blair, Regional Transit Authority Mobility Outreach Coordinators
- RTA Travel Training Program
- Reduced Fare and Ride Free Programs
- Ventra
- Trip Planning
- Dial-A-Ride and Pace on Demand Transit options
- ADA Paratransit
This presentation was not recorded.
NAMI Family & Friends
August 13, 2020
The seminar is led by those with lived experience of supporting a family member with a mental health condition. They will walk you through the following topics.
Understanding diagnoses, treatment and recovery
Effective communication strategies
The importance of self-care
Crisis preparation strategies
NAMI and community resources
Download the Family and Friends Participant Companion E-book HERE
(If you would like to order a printed spiral bound version of this guide, please contact Claire at c.underwood@namidupage.org. The cost is $10, plus $3 S&H. Other languages are also available, please email Claire for language availability.)
This webinar was not recorded. Please check back for future dates for this presentation throughout the year.
Co-occuring Disorders in Young Adults
July 30, 2020
Session focused on challenges with and treatment for young adults with mental health concerns and addiction.
View Recording HERE
See Power Point Handouts HERE
Learn about Illinois ABLE Accounts
July 2, 2020
This webinar was about Illinois ABLE accounts: a program that makes it possible for people with disabilities and their families to build financial wellness without risking much-needed federal government benefits.
View Recording HERE
See Webinar Materials HERE
.
Social Security/Disability
June 16, 2020
Living In Recovery: A Peer Conversation
May 28, 2020
View Recording HERE.
NAMI PD Connect Community Update
May 19, 2020
View Recording HERE.
May 14, 2020
Suicide Awareness during Social Distancing: Why Connections Really Matter Now
View Recording HERE.
April 28, 2020
Parenting Kids & Teens Through the Pandemic
View Recording HERE.
April 14, 2020
Communicating, Coping, and Co-existing through COVID-19
View Recording HERE.