Business Details
26 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Your Trusted Mental Health Education Partner in Chicago
Founded in 2000 by Marilyn and Larry Cohen, our institute honors the legacy of Naomi Ruth Cohen Institute by addressing mental health stigma through education and community engagement. We collaborate with The Chicago School to host annual conferences, offering CEUs and fostering dialogue on topics like suicide prevention and workplace mental health. Our programs, including Mental Health First Aid and QPR training, empower individuals and organizations across Chicagoland.With over two decades of experience, we prioritize lived experience and evidence-based practices to create inclusive, supportive communities. Our team combines academic expertise with grassroots outreach, ensuring accessible resources for those affected by mental health challenges.
Services
Mental Health Conferences
Suicide Prevention Training
Mental Health First Aid
Youth Programs
Workplace Wellness
CEU Workshops
Community Presentations
Trauma Education
Stress Management
Parent/Faith Group Support
Details
- Year established: 2000
Highlights and features
- We offer 24/7 crisis support through the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline partnership.
- Our CEU-accredited programs combine academic rigor with real-world applicability.
- We've hosted annual community mental health conferences since 2002 with expert speakers.
- Tailored presentations address specific needs of schools, workplaces, and community groups.
- Founders bring decades of experience in mental health advocacy and education.
Services
Mental Health Conferences
Annual conferences address critical mental health topics through expert-led sessions. Attendees gain insights into stigma reduction, suicide prevention strategies, and evidence-based practices. Programs offer CEUs for professionals while fostering community connection and awareness.
Suicide Prevention Training
QPR Gatekeeper Training equips participants with life-saving skills to identify and support individuals at risk. The three-step method (Question, Persuade, Refer) provides practical intervention techniques applicable in personal and professional settings across Chicagoland communities.
Mental Health First Aid
Skills-based courses teach recognition of mental health crisis signs and appropriate response strategies. Participants learn to support individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, or substance use challenges through nationally certified training programs.
Workplace Wellness Programs
Customized presentations address mental health in professional environments. Topics include stress management, ethical clinical practices, and creating supportive workplace cultures through evidence-based educational approaches.
Community Presentations
Tailored sessions for schools, faith groups, and service organizations focus on youth mental health, trauma response, and communication strategies. Presentations adapt to specific audience needs while maintaining alignment with our mission of stigma reduction.
People
Marilyn Cohen
Founder
Co-founded the institute in 2000 to honor her daughter Naomi's legacy, dedicating decades to mental health advocacy and stigma reduction through community education initiatives.
Larry Cohen
Founder
Established the charitable foundation with Marilyn in 2000, leveraging professional experience to create sustainable mental health education programs that continue Naomi's compassionate vision.
Tracy Levine
Executive Director
Licensed clinical social worker overseeing program development and community outreach, bringing expertise in mental health education and organizational leadership to advance the institute's mission.
Questions
When is your next community mental health conference?
Our 24th Annual Conference 'Alone Together: Confronting Loneliness' will be held Saturday, May 16, 2026 in Chicago.
What mental health training programs do you offer?
We provide Mental Health First Aid, QPR Suicide Prevention, stress management workshops, and customized presentations for schools, workplaces, and community groups.
Are professional CEU credits available?
Yes, many of our programs offer continuing education units for mental health professionals, including conferences and specialized workshops.
What crisis resources do you provide?
We partner with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline to provide 24/7 confidential support and maintain an online resource center for mental health information.
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