Promote Good Mental Health

It’s a Rally!

New campaign promotes good mental health for everyone in Illinois
Please join us Thursday, May 1, at 10 a.m. Crystal Gardens at the
Navy Pier® complex (600 East Grand Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, 60611) as
the IDHS/Division of Mental Health, and the Illinois Children’s Mental Health
Partnership launch a new public engagement campaign, Say it out loud.

Why join us?
Because mental health is a key component of everyone’s health and well-being.
The Say It Out Loud Rally celebrates taking steps to promote good mental health and those who have addressed mental health issues in their own lives and in the lives of people they care about.
The Rally showcases new mental health resources through a variety of speakers and festivities, including:

• Unveiling of exciting new campaign; website, radio ads, billboards, etc.
• Local entertainment
• Say it out loud t-shirts and other give-aways
• Governor’s proclamation of May as Say it out loud Month!
• People saying it out loud!

Join the community on May 1. Increase awareness of mental health as a vital component of health and well-being. Bring along your family, friends and colleagues. Say It Out Loud!

Need discipline? Enroll in martial arts!

Today was the first official day, my son participated in a martial arts class. What I mean by official is class started last week, however, we missed it because our paper had the wrong time printed. We ended up watching the older group of kids practice martial arts.

Martial arts does teach discipline for children and adults. My son is enrolled in a three-six year old class. Imagine dealing with their attention span? I have to give the "master" (martial arts teacher) his props because he has lots of patience. Some of the three year olds did not pay attention at all to their master, but by the end of the session, most of the children paid attention.

It was cute and funny to see my son copy like his master. Every time, he looked my way, I would smile and give him a thumbs up. My son felt proud. When we came home, my son showed what he learned in front of family. He kicked and yelled "Ice!"

Before we left, my son's master told everyone that parents must record one good deed in a notebook a day done by our children. This is to strengthen character. I thought that was a great idea because this will be a learning process for my son on gaining self discipline and control.

Although, this is the second class, my son and I are already pleased with the process. I strongly encourage parents to enroll their daughters and sons in sports--it doesn't have to be martial arts. There are many advantages that outweigh disadvantages.

Not only will they gain physical strength, they will gain the mental strength needed for them to handle the world when they become adults.