Melissa Ford

Developing our children's intellect has been the primary focus of schools, yet according to Tom McSheehy, family therapist, writer, educator and former teacher at Holmes School in Oak Park, key skills that are vital for learning and thriving in life aren't being taught to the extent they need to be.

NAMI Metro Suburban, an affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has served the Oak Park/River Forest community for the last 20 years, offering ongoing support to families, organizations and the community at large. The NAMI drop-in center is located at 816 Harrison St. in Oak Park.

One of the hardest parts of parenting is feeling bad or disconnected when your child withdraws her love or interest. It can feel a little scary and lonely as you're left wondering: How can I feel good when things don't feel right? What can I do to get my child to reconnect with me?

Welcome to Vanessa Matheny's world where, daily, she and her family struggle to get the proper medical care for her brother, Nathanial, who was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia over 11 years ago.