SamaraCare

When a young person is struggling, knowing where to turn can make all the difference. 💜

This guide shares trusted crisis resources for youth and parents—from immediate support like calling 911 or 988, to local services like the DuPage Crisis Line and mobile response teams. You’re never alone, and help is always available.

After reaching out, care doesn’t stop there. From counseling and outpatient programs to inpatient and residential care, there are many levels of support to help young people heal, stabilize, and move forward.

If you or someone you love is in crisis, don’t wait—reach out. And if you’re unsure, it’s always okay to ask for help.

Is There a Price to Always Being Right?

Most of us like to believe we are right — and sometimes we are. But why does being right matter so much?

From a mental health perspective, the need to be right is often about more than facts or opinions. Being right can provide a sense of certainty, safety, identity, competence, or control — especially in a world that can feel uncertain and divided. It can protect our self-esteem and reinforce our beliefs about who we are and how the world works.

Problems can arise, however, when confidence hardens into self-righteousness — an unwavering belief that our perspective is the only correct one. When that happens, it can become harder to listen, stay curious, or consider other experiences. Relationships may suffer, conflicts can intensify, and emotional flexibility may give way to defensiveness or resentment.

Good mental health is not about abandoning our values or convictions. It’s about holding them with humility. The ability to reflect, tolerate ambiguity, admit mistakes, and remain open to learning are signs of emotional strength, not weakness.

In what can feel like a polarized and fast-moving world, curiosity may be one of the healthiest practices we can cultivate — for ourselves and for one another. After all, being understood may matter more than being right.

Here's an important reminder about SamaraCare's Lisle Office Location!

Today, peace seems to be on everyone’s mind. In a world shaped by global unrest, economic uncertainty, rapid change, social tensions, and the pressures of everyday life, many of us are longing for a greater sense of calm, connection, and hope.

But how do we find peace when so many things feel beyond our control? Yet peace is not about controlling our circumstances, avoiding hardship or the absence of conflict.

It’s about cultivating emotional grounding, resilience, and support that help us navigate uncertainty with greater strength, compassion, and hope. It’s about creating space to breathe and recognizing we do not need to face life’s challenges alone. Peace nurtures our mental, emotional, relational, and spiritual well-being — helping us feel more secure and resilient.

At SamaraCare, we believe counseling can help foster peace by providing support, insight, and practical tools to navigate life’s challenges. Caring for mental health is an important pathway to peace — within ourselves, our families, and our communities.

As we reflect on what peace means in today’s world, we invite you to take a moment to care for yourself and those around you. Small acts of understanding, compassion, and support can create meaningful and lasting change.

Much has been said about artificial intelligence in mental health, but far less about the ethical and legal tensions at its core. As generative AI becomes more integrated into daily life, it offers greater access and efficiency—while also introducing serious risks to safety, accountability, and human dignity.

Unlike licensed clinicians, AI systems operate in a largely unregulated space. Research shows they can provide generalized advice, struggle in crisis situations, and even reinforce harmful thinking. Concerns about algorithmic bias, AI “sycophancy,” and the illusion of empathy raise important questions about trust and protection for vulnerable individuals.

AI is already part of the mental health landscape. The challenge is no longer whether to use it, but how to use it responsibly—balancing innovation with ethical safeguards and human care.

To learn read the full article, click here: https://samaracarecounseling.org/client-story/the-ethics-gap-ai-mental-health-and-the-race-to-catch-up/
To learn more about Monica or to schedule an appointment, click here: https://samaracarecounseling.org/counselor/monica-guilhot/

100 Miles
100 Riders
100K+ to Charity
One Incredible Ride

Join us for the 3rd Annual Solstice Century Ride on Friday, June 19, 2026—an impactful bike ride bringing together riders from across the community for a fun, scenic adventure that supports incredible local nonprofits.

Your ride will directly help SamaraCare provide accessible, reduced-cost care to individuals and families in need. Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or simply looking for a meaningful way to give back, your participation will make a real difference.

When: Friday, June 19, 2026
Time: 6:00am arrival, ride begins at 6:30am
Where: Whalon Lake Shelter, 1496 Royce Rd., Bolingbrook

For More Information, Visit:
https://solsticecentury.com/

Every day, women and children in our community face significant challenges—from financial strain and health concerns to caring for children with developmental or mental health needs. For too many, the cost of care remains the greatest barrier to receiving care. Today, 1 in 5 women cannot access the counseling, psychiatric, or autism services they need.

Our recent Imagine Stronger Breakfast Benefit highlighted these realities while supporting SamaraCare’s Mental Health Access Program, which for 55 years has provided reduced-cost care to individuals and families in need.

We’re excited to share photos from the event with you!
Relive a few of the moments by clicking here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/PAvkdyvJoHG3w78D6

Although the event has passed, the need continues.
Your gift today directly helps remove financial barriers and ensures that women and children can access care, support, and hope..

Please donate to help us build stronger futures in our communities.

Mental Health Awareness Month isn’t just a date on the calendar—it’s a call to rewrite how we think, speak, and act around mental health. Born in 1954 and inspired by Clifford Whittingham Beers’ courageous fight to expose the failures of early psychiatric care, it has evolved into a powerful movement for change. What began as one man’s story is now a collective push to replace silence with understanding.

This month challenges us to do more than observe—it asks us to participate. Every conversation, social media post, or moment of compassion has the power to chip away at stigma. The way we talk about mental health shapes how others feel about their own struggles, making everyday interactions more influential than we might think.

But awareness isn’t just about words—it’s about action. It’s checking in on someone who’s been quiet, sharing resources that could save a life, or simply listening without judgment. It’s also recognizing that supporting others requires caring for yourself, too.

On a larger scale, communities can turn awareness into momentum through advocacy, volunteering, and education. Change doesn’t happen all at once—it builds through small, intentional steps. And this month is a reminder that those steps matter more than we realize.

To read the full article, click here: https://samaracarecounseling.org/blog/mental-health/samaracare-celebrates-mental-health-awareness-month/

Anjanette L Young, LCSW, author of Past The Pain: How to Emerge From Trauma with Purpose joined us and shared her powerful healing journey.

The Imagine Stronger trees were hung with leaves that guests completed answering the following prompts: “I imagine a stronger self when I…” and “I imagine a stronger community when people…”