CHRISTOPHER — Centerstone, a national leader in behavioral health care, announced Monday that it will offer parent support groups throughout Southern Illinois.

The new group, called Parent Peers Empowering Parents (PPEP), will meet regularly throughout the year to provide support, education and inspiration for all parents of Southern Illinois.

According to a press release from Centerstone, the aim of the group is to empower parents, allow them a place to be heard and provide parent peer support. PPEP will be provided mostly by parent peer supporters, who are parents with lived experience navigating the mental health system. They will aim to support, inform and help parents build their own capacity for supporting their families.

All parents in Southern Illinois are welcome. There is no fee to join and no commitment required to participate. Dinner, childcare and activities for children will be provided.

The meeting will be held at Christopher Elementary School, located at 501 S. Snider in Christopher, on Tuesday, March 10 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

For more information or to RSVP, contact Brandy Moore at 457-6703, ext. 7772, or brandy.moore@centerstone.org.