Mental Health America of Illinois

09/21/2023

Be in the know. 🤔

Sign up for the free MHAI newsletter! You'll receive mental health advocacy news, resources, and program announcements in your inbox.

Click the bell to sign up:

09/08/2023

Su***de is the second leading cause of death among young people in the United States. The scale of this problem is bigger than most people realize.

While there are many resources available for individuals who are struggling with su***de, true change comes from breaking the culture of silence.

Don’t wait until it is too late. If you know somebody who is having a hard time, reach out to them today.

Read our post for more.

How much of a problem is su***de in our society? While most would agree that it is an issue, it’s difficult to truly understand the scale of the problem. Let’s put it this way. In 2021, su***de counted among the top nine leading causes of death for individuals from ages 10-64. If you drop the ag...

09/07/2023

When a client is struggling with anger what kind of toll does it take on the body?

It can be a difficult question to answer but we think this infographic can help. ➡️ https://www.nicabm.com/how-anger-affects-the-brain-and-body-infographic/?del=9.4.2023.FBPost2

09/05/2023

Welcome to a new school season for students, parents and teachers!

📕🖊📏🖍👨🏽‍🏫🍎🚍💻

Read and download these BACK-TO-SCHOOL RESOURCES from Mental Health America. Our 2023 toolkit provides information, tips, and resources for young people, caregivers, and school personnel on how to protect youth mental health in a digital world.
www.mhanational.org/youth-tech

And, check out this informative article from our new blog that will identify ways you can safeguard your child's mental health the whole year.
When to Be Concerned: Signs of Mental Health Conditions in Children and Teenagers
https://www.mhai.org/post/when-to-be-concerned-signs-of-mental-health-conditions-in-children-and-teenagers

Our 2023 toolkit provides info, tips, and resources for young people, caregivers, and school personnel on protecting youth mental health in a digital world.

08/31/2023

HOUSING INSECURITY is an ongoing challenge that plagues thousands of individuals in Illinois. Despite a strong U.S. economy and historically low unemployment rates, permanent and affordable housing remains out of reach for too many people.

Whether or not a person has an existing mental or behavioral health condition, housing insecurity can exacerbate conditions or cause someone to experience first-time symptoms of conditions like depression or anxiety, for example.

The stress, risk and uncertainty associated with housing insecurity, and homelessness, impact the general survival of this vulnerable population. For those persons who work, or are school-aged, they struggle to maintain performance, as well as, their health.

According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, on any given night, 580,000 individuals across the country experience homelessness.

In Illinois, the Department of Human Services calculated that just over 10,400 individuals spend the night living in the state's shelters or "transitional housing programs, in parks and abandoned buildings, in cars and in barns".

The troubling figures don't stop there. Illinois DHS says that an additional tens of thousands of individuals are in "unstable housing" conditions. This means they have impermanent situations residing with family or friends.

There is hope and help is available:

🔵 Tips and Info if facing Housing Insecurity
mhanational.org/blog/3-tips-if-youre-facing-housing-insecurity

🔵 Mental Health Services - Homeless Outreach (Chicago)
www.thresholds.org

🔵 Call 211 to be connected to health and human service
assistance. Or, you can also go online to www.211.org

🔵 Call the Illinois Department of Human Services Help Line at 833-234-6343 to be connected to food, medical, shelter, recovery, and other resources. www.dhs.state.il.us

🔵 Housing Action Illinois
housingactionil.org/get-help-with-housing/

Chicago
🔵 Call 311 or 312-744-5000 and ask for “short-term assistance” or “short-term help.”

🔵 Fulton, Peoria, Tazewell and Woodford Counties
hoiunitedway.org/hoi-united-way-homeless-continuum-of-care/

🔵 Illinois Early Learning Project (Resources For Families with Young Children)
illinoisearlylearning.org/toolkits/homeless-directory/

This resource directory provides contact information, descriptions of programs, state agencies, and non-profit organizations in Illinois that provide support for families of young children…

08/29/2023

You can be informed of events and news without be overtaken by it all.

It's okay to guard your mind and limit the amount of tragedy and doom that is looped on our 24/7 news cycle and social media.

Read our 5️⃣ tips for setting boundaries and protecting your in a difficult world.

https://www.mhanational.org/tough-news-caring-your-mind?fbclid=IwAR2EbZpWT0r5CXGTO0B-pxfqrHIgBvuIRKUPBDtyA6Dhv2pA8NAFWwEbdgw

08/23/2023

September is Su***de Prevention Awareness Month.

Join us for the presentation:
𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐒𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬
Wednesday, September 27, at 7pm (CT)

Mental Health America of Illinois (MHAI), Mental Health America of the Northern Suburbs (MHANS) and American Foundation for Su***de Prevention (AFSP) present this online event.

This is an introduction to su***de prevention. The program covers the general scope of su***de, the research on prevention, and what people can do to fight su***de. You'll learn warning signs, resources and steps you can take for someone you're concerned about, including yourself.

To reserve your space now, click on the image below or go here http://mha-talk.eventbrite.com

🆘
If you or someone you know is in immediate crisis or need,
Dial or Text 988.

This is the new national hotline for su***de or mental health distress. It's the new 911 for mental health emergencies.

08/15/2023

THE DISTORTED MIRROR: TECHNOLOGY'S IMPACT ON YOUTH BODY IMAGE

A free, webinar on Thursday, August 17, at Noon (Central Time)

} Discuss how social media can impact youth and teen body image,
self-confidence, and mental health

} Identify what kinds of harmful content is presented to young
people on social media that can promote or lead to disordered
eating and/or body dysmorphia

} Hear from experts and those with lived experiences on what we
can do to make social media platforms safe and healthy
environments for youth and teens

Read more and register at:

mhanational.org/events/distorted-mirror-technologys-impact-youth-body-image

08/10/2023

If you’re thinking about su***de, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, the Lifeline network is available 24/7 across the United States.

Call 988 or Text 988
Available in Spanish

For TTY Users: Use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.

If you’re thinking about su***de, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, the Lifeline network is available 24/7 across the United States.

08/09/2023

“You don’t want to be shorter than girls, especially if you want to date them or are going to marry them.” “Why don't I look like her?"

08/07/2023

Gov. JB Pritzker signs legislation aimed at improving way IL schools address student trauma

"Experts say schools should have one psychologist for every 500 students. But as a state House committee heard last month, that ratio is much higher in Illinois."

The law includes a school report card that will provide information on how many counselors, social workers, nurses and psychologists are in each school, starting in October 2024.

08/04/2023

Check in on your friends today. It’s one of the best (and easiest) ways to show them you care about their . It creates a space where they can open up about their feelings, struggles, or even share some good news.

Plus, knowing that someone cares enough to check in can make a world of difference for our when we’re feeling down or overwhelmed. It's a simple gesture that reminds us we’re not alone. 😌💕

07/27/2023

Calling Young Leaders!

Mental Health America's Young Leaders Council (YLC) is made up of young people (18-25) who have created programs and initiatives to fill gaps in mental health support and resources in their communities. Each year, 10 leaders are selected and participate in this six-month leadership development program.

Read More and Apply at:
https://mhanational.org/young-leaders/council

07/26/2023

Tune in to your favorite music, podcasts, or guided meditation sessions this Wellness Wednesday. Let the power of sound uplift your spirits, relax your mind, and boost your overall well-being. Share your go-to audio recommendations using .

07/25/2023

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson campaigned on a promise to reopen the city's shuttered mental health clinics and dramatically expand an alternative response program that frees Chicago police officers from a responsibility to respond to mental health emergencies.

On Monday, a City Council committee held a subject matter hearing "years in the making" aimed at building the case for a new network of mental health care under an approach that has come to be known as "Treatment Not Trauma".

Mayor Brandon Johnson campaigned on a promise to reopen Chicago's shuttered mental health clinics and dramatically expand an alternative response program.

07/21/2023

𝟒 𝐖𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐬𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬

Mental health is an important aspect of our overall well-being, yet it is often overlooked in South Asian communities. There is a silent mental health crisis in these communities due to a taboo around having conversations about mental health, which is frequently dismissed as not being a real issue. Mental health issues can be seen as a sign of weakness or bringing shame to the family, and oftentimes religion is seen as a solution to cure mental health. Read more...👇🏽

https://mhanational.org/blog/4-ways-reverse-silent-mental-health-crisis-south-asian-communities

07/19/2023

A: The 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline offers 24/7 call, text and chat access to trained crisis counselors who can help people experiencing suicidal, substance use, and/or mental health crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress. People can also dial 988 if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.

07/18/2023

Get the MHAI Newsletter for updates on our free mental health education programs for the family, adults, veterans, first responders, and the community.

⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sign up here: bit.ly/MHAIllinois

Today!
Join Mental Health America in celebration of Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month for the second of a two-part webinar series on culture, community, and mental health.

Tuesday, July 18
12pm CT
Free, Registration Required

For more Info and to Register:
http://mhanational.org/events/bipoc-led-community-spaces-provide-healling-support

This panel-style discussion will focus on the importance of safe, supportive, culturally vibrant BIPOC-led spaces within our communities. Throughout the discussion, we will explore how to find or create community spaces that promote healing, provide mental health support, and accept identity and culture.

Don't miss future programs and events like this! Sign up for the MHAI newsletter for more free community education programs for the family, adults, veterans, first-responders...

02/25/2023

U.S. Senator John Fetterman draws praise for getting help for depression.

WASHINGTON (AP) — When Patrick Kennedy was in Congress, he would sneak in his treatments for substance abuse over the holidays, in between congressional work periods. And he refused mental health treatment recommended by his doctors, worried he would be recognized in that wing of the hospital.

01/17/2023

The start of a new year can push us to think about how we take care of ourselves – our bodies or our minds. And for some people that can mean seeking help for mental health issues like depression and anxiety. In some ways, being open about pursuing treatment for mental health concerns is becoming ...

12/22/2022

Despite the obligations, traditions and bustle this holiday season, it's okay and necessary to check-in with yourself and care for you.

Here are some resources to help.

For many people, the holidays conjure up a Norman Rockwell-esque mental picture of people gathered to enjoy food, friends, and family, accompanied by feelings of love, warmth, and excitement. But for others, the holidays can cause them to feel anxious or depressed despite all the decorations and fes...

12/21/2022

The season can be a stressful time of year, especially for those of us who don’t drink or are trying not to.

Check out our tips for maintaining and other holiday : https://bit.ly/38rMRe5

12/19/2022

Handling The Holidays In A Non-LGBTQ+ Affirming Environment

From 2021:
The holiday season comes with stress for many people, but it can be an especially triggering time of year for LGBTQ+ individuals. Some may not have a relationship with their family of origin and spend the holidays alone, while others may be pressured to spend extended time with family that doesn't support them.

Many LGBTQ+ folks, particularly young adults, are not out to their families and may feel forced back into the closet, an experience that is often exhausting, stressful, and detrimental to an individual’s mental health.

If you’re anticipating some difficult emotions this holiday season related to your LGBTQ+ identity, you aren’t alone. Join Mental Health America and Sutter Health for this free, 60-minute panel, where we will discuss:
- What makes an environment psychologically safe for LGBTQ+ individuals, and the trauma that comes from spending considerable time in one that isn’t;
- Questions to ask yourself when deciding if you want to see your family of origin over the holidays; and
- How to set boundaries and prioritize your emotional, psychological, and physical safety regardless of where and with whom you spend the holiday season.

The holiday season comes with stress for many people, but it can be an especially triggering time of year for LGBTQ+ individuals. Some may not have a relatio...

12/12/2022

There is too much need and too little help for kids. Even as federal covid relief money has let schools step up their efforts, they also have come up short.

11/28/2022

Giving Tuesday is almost here. 🎉

Support an organization that is impacting the lives of your Illinois neighbors with free, online mental health screens, no-cost webinars and resource support.

Click Here to Donate at PayPal:
www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=XJF3P9UTE58QN

11/24/2022

Warmlines and 9-8-8 are available in Illinois for mental health needs, resources and crisis.

Illinois Warm Line
(866) 359-7953 M-S, 8 am – 8 pm

Crisis Line of Fox Valley, IL
(630) 966-9393 24/7 National

9-8-8
24/7 Illinois, National

Local and national phone numbers for when you just need to talk.

11/01/2022

The 988 Lifeline helps thousands of people overcome suicidal crisis or mental-health distress every day. Under President Biden's leadership, federal investment in 988 has risen 18-fold.

Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org if you or someone you know needs support.

10/28/2022

9-8-8 is now live.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org

You matter 💙 And if you need emotional support, call or text 988. We're here for you

10/22/2022

Next Wednesday, October 26th, join MHA and Rural Minds for a live webinar to discuss the stigma and unique challenges people in rural areas face when caring for their mental health.

Register here: https://bit.ly/3eFSTNA

10/22/2022

Join us for a Virtual Lunch & Learn on Wednesday, November 9. 12pm - 1pm

𝐌𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐨𝐢𝐬:
𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚 𝐒𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐬

Presented by MHA, MHAI and MHANS.
To register, please visit MapIllinois.eventbrite.com

https://www.mhai.org/so/fcOFmNM5V?languageTag=en #/main

Lunch & Learn for Clinicians

10/19/2022

Lunch & Learn for Community Behavioral Health Clinicians and Supporters

Join us Wednesday, November 9, 12pm - 1pm

Background:
In 2014, Mental Health America created a mental health screening program available online at: screening.mhanational.org. These screens are:
• Free
• Anonymous
• Evidence-based
• Screening for 11 mental health conditions
• Two screens available in Spanish

Since March 2020 the number of screens has increased dramatically. Mental Health America has created a dashboard where the screening results can be viewed by Illinois county.

Presenters at this Free Lunch and Learn will:

- Review the Mental Health America Screening Program
- Explore real-world implications of this project, and utilize this data to inform clinicians opportunities for earlier intervention
- Demonstrate the mapping dashboard functionality

This will be a one-hour presentation and include a Q&A.

http://www.eventbrite.com/e/mapping-the-mental-health-of-illinois-tickets-441529495607

Mental health researchers present screening results and tools for the state of Illinois.

09/21/2022

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2022/sep/12/the-big-idea-should-we-drop-the-distinction-between-mental-and-physical-health

The current false dichotomy holds back research and stigmatises patients

09/15/2022

Join MHAI Board Member and Empower Mental Health Founder Becky Ogrodny tomorrow for

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗗𝗼 𝗪𝗲 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻; 𝗮 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗺𝗮?

Friday, 10am - 11:30am, Online

September is Su***de Prevention Awareness Month

This event is a part of the Coffee, Conversations and CEUs series offered by Hartgrove Behavioral System and Garfield Park Behavioral Hospital. This presentation is co-sponsored by Empower Mental Health and MHAI.

CEUs available.
Registration required:

https://uhsinc.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0ucuGqpj0oE9xB7N-UlmKvyGt95mNunE1u

09/01/2022

**Download this Free Toolkit**

Adolescence is already a confusing time without added concerns about social media, safety in schools, staying healthy, family financial security, and loss of loved ones—so we shouldn't be surprised that the rates of anxiety, depression, su***de, and other mental health conditions are on the rise.

This year, Mental Health America Recognizes with our 2022 Back to School Toolkit that our youth are having "All the Feels" as they enter the new school year. These resources look at the issues young people face that are having an impact on their mental health and offer tips on how to deal with these issues and the resulting emotions. The MHA toolkit can also help parents and school personnel better understand the issues, such as the effects of social media on youth mental health and how to be supportive.

https://mhanational.org/back-school

Adolescence is already a confusing time without added concerns about social media, safety in schools, staying healthy, family financial security, and loss of loved ones—so we shouldn't be surprised that the rates of anxiety, depression, su***de, and other mental health conditions are on the rise.

08/17/2022

The series on grief continues and on this episode they explore the stage of depression and feeling numb. They both share how they experience feeling numb and the disconnect that comes with it. They talk about how some people pull away during this stage, differences between depression and introversio...

07/19/2022

9-8-8 is here.

07/13/2022

05/10/2022

05/08/2022

Join us on Tuesday, May 17th, for an online conversation with Cook County Sheriff, Tom Dart. This event is a part of our Journey Series, in which we speak with leaders who prioritize mental health education and improved treatment for everyone in our Illinois communities.

This event is sponsored by MHAI and Gallagher Media and Consulting, LLC.

It's free, but registration is required. Donations to support MHAI programs are welcome.

For more information and to register, please visit www.JourneySeries.eventbrite.com

05/03/2022

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and studies show that anxiety and depression has increased worldwide. According to Schroeder Stribling, President and CEO of Mental Health America there are steps you can take to improve your mental health.