News & Brews: News & Brews: How Children's Mental Illnesses Affect Families

Description

Illinois Public Media is focusing on the whole family during Children's Mental Health Awareness Month. At the next News & Brews on Tuesday, May 28th at 6pm, you'll hear stories from families caring for children with mental illness and understand the scope of the challenges they face. https://www.facebook.com/events/1292659177558211/https://www.facebook.com/events/129265917755821 In her partnership with Side Effects Public Radio, WILL's health reporter Christine Herman has reported on Illinois families having to give up their children in order to get them expensive mental health treatment: https://www.sideeffectspublicmedia.org/post/out-options-parents-children-mental-illness-trade-custody-treatment And families who must battle insurance agencies for coverage: https://www.sideeffectspublicmedia.org/post/when-insurers-deny-mental-health-coverage-families-crisis-struggle-even-more Christine has spoken with families that say they feel isolated and misunderstood. They say that the stigma of mental illness makes people in their communities shy away from offering help like they might for children with physical illnesses. This News & Brews hopes to break the sense of isolation and offer information about resources for families in need. If you have a story that you'd like to share about caring for a child with mental illness, please leave us a voicemail at 217-394-5765. We'll be producing an audio story collection to share online, on the radio, and at listening stations at the live event. *Given the sensitive topics we'll be discussing, it is not recommended that children attend the panel. There is a play area where children can go if you bring someone to supervise them. There will be food available for purchase.