06/17/2026
What happens when community mental health systems are underfunded for decades?
Too often, individuals living with mental health conditions are left cycling through crises, hospitals, homelessness, and the justice system without meaningful long term support.
Recently, NAMI Illinois Director of Research and Policy, Tony Ohlhausen, spoke with the Illinois Answers Project and St. Louis Public Radio about the role of mental health courts in Illinois and why stronger investments in community based mental health services are critical.
Mental health courts can help many people, but lasting change requires addressing the larger gaps in our mental health system and ensuring people receive support before reaching a crisis point.
We encourage our communities and leaders to continue advocating for accessible, compassionate, and sustainable mental health care across Illinois.
Read more: https://www.stlpr.org/show/st-louis-on-the-air/2026-05-08/illinois-mental-health-courts-millions-are-left-out-half-graduate