• Barrington-area teens, parents, educators, healthcare professionals, and faith-based organizations are joining forces to promote positive mental health, to reduce risk factors associated with common teen stressors, and to ensure local support is available to everyone regardless of age or income.
  
  
• The new coalition, “H.E.R.E. in Barrington” (Help, Encouragement, Resources, Education), will attempt to change the culture by spotlighting various mental health issues, programs, and resources in an ongoing series of educational events.

We know one of the most important ways teens gather information and insights is through their peers. These student-parent kick-off events are designed to diminish isolation, negative pressure and at-risk behaviors among area youth. Parents, their children and our community partners are all important parts of this effort.
~ Michael Gilmore, Barrington 220 assistant superintendent and co-chair of the H.E.R.E. in Barrington coalition

We believe the H.E.R.E. in Barrington title reflects the broad fabric of local programs and people we can offer as support structures to each other, whenever individuals encounter seemingly insurmountable difficulties in life.
~ Sylvia Boeder, of the Healthier Barrington program, and a co-chair of the coalition.

“We’re all H.E.R.E. in Barrington, to help each other, as fellow students on a journey together.”
~ Tanya Mookerji, a Barrington High School student representative in the coalition.

“Our goal is to build a greater awareness of the programs and resources available in our community, so friends, neighbors and family members can reach out to those in need and connect them with professional support – without regard for their ability to pay for services.”
~ Rev. Mary E. Tudela, executive director of The Samaritan Counseling Center of the Northwest Suburbs in Barrington, a resource advocated by the H.E.R.E. in Barrington coalition.