Orland Park mental health event organizer: ‘I needed to do something positive'
The trying times Josette Songco and her two sons went through years ago taught them the importance of bringing more attention to mental health.
The Songco family came out to volunteer Saturday at the Be Kind to Your Mind Mental Health/Wellness Fair and Walk to let other people know there is help out there for depression and other forms of mental illness.
The event at Centennial Park in Orland Park was held the last day of Mental Health Awareness Month.
The family helped put together bird feeder kits and planters donated by Home Depot and do face painting for attendees. The three received emotional support from Michelle Maxia, who organized the event and who runs Toy Box Connection in Orland Park, a charity that donates toys and used books, clothes, food and furniture to shelters, nursing homes, veterans' children and other with people in need.
They remembered being volunteer gift-wrappers for the nonprofit at Orland Square mall years ago on a Christmas eve, when they had no place to go.
'We ran into some tough times,' said Songco. 'This set up a tradition for us.'
She said Maxia taught them there are always a lot of people here with less.
A main attraction was a 2K Drop the Rock walk, a meditative stroll where walkers picked up a rock that represented their problems, found 'positive affirmations' as they walked and then dropped the rock at the end, letting go of their distress.
There were 30 mental health/wellness vendors, including Personal Balance Counseling and Aligned Modern Health, two sponsors both from Orland Park. Uniquely You Behavioral Health, and the Orland Fire Protection District also participated.
There were food trucks, a bounce house, teen obstacle course, games, arts and a craft tent.
Maxia, who lives in Orland Park, said she hoped the first-time event caught on.
'We decided to give something a little different back to the community,' said Maxia, a former Cook County sheriff's police officer.
It was during her years in that job that she saw many people struggling with mental health problems, including battered women and the homeless.
'Because of what I saw … I knew where the struggle was and the need was,' she said about starting Toy Box Connection. 'I saw a great many homeless people who clearly did not have the resources or insurance to get the help they needed.'
She was reminded about the need for mental health help when her nephew took his own life four years ago, a good friend died by suicide two years ago and a close friend in September 2024.
'I felt like I needed to do something positive,' said Maxia. 'I wanted to capture a day when there would be help, resources and people lifting each other up.'
Elizabeth Frantz, a counselor with Healing Hearts Equine and Animal Assisted Mental Health Therapy in New Lenox, and Brooke Shawaluk, of Sarah's Stables in Willow Springs, brought a pony for attendees to pet and learn about the therapy.
'Mental Health is something there's a stigma around and not everybody wants to talk about it,' said Frantz, a counselor who uses animals in her therapy. 'Everyone at some point suffers from something.'
She said simply having a pet can teach people mindfulness.
Angel Espinosa and his dad, Oscar Espinosa, said they attended because they know the importance of getting help.
'Mental health is a key thing,' said Angel Espinosa. 'You have to speak clearly and communicate well with people to help you succeed in life. … It takes a lot to think clearly every day when you have mental health struggles.'
Another mental health event this month is a seminar about diagnoses, treatment and recovery, self-care and resources by the National Alliance for the Mentally ill South Suburbs of Chicago. It will be held at 9:30 a.m. on June 7 at the Bremen Township Senior Complex, 15350 Oak Park Ave., Oak Forest.
The Dolton Park District recently had a program on upcoming mental health services coming to the community with information from Envision Unlimited on The Living Room, the Drop-in Center, and Cultural and Faith Based Empowerment Program, in addition to NAMI South Suburbs.
The Park District has a Teen Dating Violence Conference from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 7, at its fieldhouse, 721 Engle St., Dolton.
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