Parent Series
Helping Parents Navigate Youth Mental Health
Designed for parents and caregivers of youth ages 18 and under, our Parent Series provides practical tools, expert guidance, and real-world strategies to support your child’s mental health and emotional well-being. Through educational workshops on today’s most relevant parenting topics, families gain knowledge, confidence, and resources to navigate challenges with greater connection and hope.
Meet the Presenter
The 2026/2027 Parent Series Presentations will be led by Karen Rosenberg. Karen is the Youth and Family Services Manager at NAMI DuPage, where she has spent seven years educating students and supporting families. Certified as a NAMI Support Group Facilitator, Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor, and Provider Instructor, she combines professional expertise with personal experience. Drawing on her own journey raising a daughter with mental health challenges, Karen provides parents with the empathetic guidance and resources she wishes she had received early on.
Parent Series – Dates, Times, & Registration
These interactive, in-person sessions are designed for active participation, and questions are welcome throughout.
All attendees will receive take-home resources and educational handouts.
All presentations will be held in-person at 117 N. County Farm Rd. in Wheaton and run concurrently with the Teen Connection group. Information on Teen Connection can be found HERE.
Managing Children's Mental Health & Academic Pressure
According to the PEW Research Center, academics are the biggest source of pressure for teens today. This pressure can lead to anxiety, depression, and even suicide. In this presentation we’ll discuss ways to alleviate stress in a high-achieving world. Topics include reframing success, protective factors, and the importance of downtime and friends.
WHEN: September 17, 2026
TIME: 7 PM – 8:30 PM
WHERE: NAMI DuPage
Understanding ADHD
ADHD is a common mental health condition that affects students of all ages, but what does it really mean? Understand how ADHD impacts the brain, learning, and behavior (including differences in how it presents across genders). While ADHD comes with challenges, this workshop highlights unique strengths like out-of-the-box thinking. You will leave the presentation with practical tools to help your child stay organized. (Companion youth presentation available.)
WHEN: October 15, 2026
TIME: 7 PM – 8:30 PM
WHERE: NAMI DuPage
School Avoidance: What it Really Means
School avoidance is often misunderstood as a behavioral problem that must be punished. This workshop helps you uncover the hidden root causes of why your child wants to stay home and teaches you how to start constructive, empathetic conversations. You will leave with actionable tools to alleviate their distress, practical resources for long-term success, and a realistic roadmap for your child’s social, emotional, and academic success.
WHEN: November 19, 2026
TIME: 7 PM – 8:30 PM
WHERE: NAMI DuPage
Empowered Parents' Toolkit
A practical, reassuring workshop designed to help you navigate a youth mental health crisis. Gain guidance on topics such as alternatives to hospitalization, choosing the right providers, managing medication, advocating at school, and supporting your family’s well-being.
WHEN: January 21, 2027
TIME: 7 PM – 8:30 PM
WHERE: NAMI DuPage
Supporting Our Youth
Learn to identify the early warning signs of mental health struggles in youth. Using real-world scenarios, we explore typical vs. concerning teen behaviors. You’ll leave with practical guidance—drawn from Youth Mental Health First Aid—on how to approach your child and take steps during a crisis.
WHEN: February 18, 2027
TIME: 7 PM – 8:30 PM
WHERE: NAMI DuPage
Mental Health After High School for Parents
The transition from teenager to young adult is incredibly challenging. Designed for parents of high school juniors and seniors, this presentation explores the pressures of major life decisions, choosing whether to stay home or move out, and the stress of financial independence. (Companion youth presentation available)
WHEN: March 18, 2027
TIME: 7 PM – 8:30 PM
WHERE: NAMI DuPage
If you cannot attend the main series dates, Karen will be presenting two of the workshops at the Downers Grove Library.
See their website for more information (https://dglibrary.org/).
9/9/26 – Supporting Our Youth
10/20/26 – School Avoidance
Please check back regularly for updates and additional presentation dates.