The Naomi Ruth Cohen Institute

“It’s Tough Enough; Adolescent Mental Health in Our Changing World”

This years annual conference focuses on adolescent mental health with a distinguished group of panelists.

Planning is now underway for our 20th Annual Community Conference!

Whether someone has recently been diagnosed or has been living with mental illness for most of their life, the experience can be very isolating for individuals, family members, and other loved ones. No one should suffer in silence. No one ought to feel alone.

We offer mental health education, training, and presentations to the greater Chicagoland community to increase understanding of mental health issues and decrease stigma. Many programs offer professional CEUs.

There are many ways to describe Naomi – a loving daughter, caring sister, relative, and a cherished friend to many. She was a gifted artist and designer, as well as a skilled geriatrics counselor; who engaged with her community. Naomi was a compassionate and spiritual person, who cared deeply about disadvantaged people and the humane treatment of animals.

Marilyn and Larry Cohen are dedicated to reducing the stigma that for far too long has been a barrier to individuals and families being able to access the treatment and support that they need and deserve. They established the Naomi Ruth Cohen Institute for Mental Health Education to reduce mental health stigma through education, research, and community. The institute was founded in 2002 in honor of their daughter, Naomi Ruth Cohen, who suffered from Bipolar Disorder, and died by suicide in 2000 at age 33.