Mental Health

The need for assistance has continued to rise in Will County since the COVID-19 pandemic. And that need is highest among families working one or more jobs.

The Joliet fire and police departments hosted their second Active Threat and Mental Wellness conference for first responders to discuss the issues of responding to violence and combating mental health issues in the community and their own ranks.

Bonnie Hassan, director of Trinity outpatient services, and Jennifer Hodges, a residential director, received the appointments to two separate Illinois-run task forces.

More than 30 amateur, professional and commercial cooks will serve samples of their appetizers, entrees, side dishes or desserts for attendees to judge at the event in Joliet.

A ribbon cutting will precede tours of the youth counseling center created by the Community Foundation of Grundy County.

Recover-Con is for people in recovery from substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health issues and all those impacted by the disease. Whether you work in the field or receive services, this conference will give you valuable information and networking opportunities.

Rachel Evans of Minooka, director for the Living Room in Joliet, and her family were heading to a birthday party in Homer Glen when neighbors called to say the Evans' home was on fire.

The International Day of Peace Celebration & Peace Walk in Joliet featured speeches, tables with informational literatures and a walk showing attendees’ commitment to peace.

Only 20% of those with a substance use disorder get the help they need. There are many barriers, but stigma and lack of coverage or adequate coverage are two major reasons.

Authentic Counseling and Therapy is located at 111 W. Jackson St., Morris and is owned by Christina Christensen & Jessica Anderson-Gonzalez.

Former Congressman Patrick Kennedy sees a clear path forward for the improvement of mental health care in the nation, and it comes down to applying the financial incentives that have strengthened other industries.

NAMI Sauk Area will highlight the importance of suicide prevention and provide critical resources by actively engaging in initiatives to support and educate the community throughout September.

Former U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy to keynote DuPage County mental health summit

A new, Chicago-based nonprofit is making strides to improve the futures of Illinois’ adopted, foster and kinship students.

Tenna Mackey is the first executive director of the Will County Community Mental Health Board, whose mission is to evaluate and improve community mental health services in the county.

Trinity Services in New Lenox is seeking historical photos and newspaper articles for its 75th anniversary celebration in 2025.

Association for Individual Development will host an “All Hallow’s Eve” benefit auction to raise money for individuals with developmental, behavioral and crisis needs across Kane, Kendall and other suburban counties.

Based on the need for another men’s sober living house in Lee County, Sinnissippi Centers is targeting the county’s opioid settlement dollars as one of its main sources of funding for the new venture.

Oswego East High School senior Mark Chapas Jr. was the type of person who was willing to give a helping hand to everyone he met.

Ecker Center for Behavioral Health is collaborating with Solarium Dance Company and Steel Beam Theatre to present “Thumbs Up,” dedicated to the life and music of the late artist Mac Miller.

Recovery Centers of America St. Charles unveiled a new program “Changing Directions” on July 15, which provides substance abuse recovery and education for young adults age 18-25.

Dwayne English, public affairs sergeant at Joliet Police Department, also has degrees in psychology, and is currently pre-licensed as a professional counselor.

Joliet's fire chief outlined how the department has been educating the community and engaging in programs to address the root causes of behavioral and mental health issues in the city.

Sinnissippi has been working to become a CCBHC for three years.

Sheriff John D. Idleburg is proud to announce that the sheriff’s multi-agency Crisis Outreach and Support Team has received national recognition and a local grant.

The grant funding will provide free tuition for accepted students into the University of St. Francis' CRSS program through June 2025.

Kane County Specialty Courts held an inspiring art show to encourage mental health and substance abuse recovery.

The Living Room is an Illinois Department of Human Services program that gives adults 24-hour, 365-day access to free emergency mental health care.

Ecker Center for for Behavioral Health seeks to raise $50,000 through its Spring 2024 Fundraising & Awareness Campaign.

Gov. JB Pritzker said it’s necessary to buck trends of the past, when discussions surrounding mental health were quickly swept under the rug, in private or public life – and received little government attention.

Sinnissippi Centers, KSB Hospital and the Partnership for a Healthy Lee County work group are conducting an #EndTheStigma campaign during May to help improve awareness of mental health. May is Mental Health Month, which was created by Mental Health in America in 1949.

Projects included in the funding are anti-violence behavioral health programs, the Kane County Food and Farm Resiliency Project and a countywide economic development organization.

The first of a trio of 5Ks benefiting the National Alliance on Mental Illinois Sauk Area and Florissa is set for Saturday, May 18. The Run for Brain Health 5K, the Florissa Family 5K and Fun Run and the NAMI Sauk Area 5K make up the Hope Series 5K: End the Stigma.

Recovery Centers of America relocated their outpatient services from South Elgin to the new 4,100-square-foot outpatient facility in December 2023

The Kane County Board allocated nearly $10 million in federal pandemic recovery funding to the Kane County Health Department to address gaps in the behavioral health system.

Hope Cancer Wellness Center offers a 6-week series that will provide tools to ease the pain and sadness as well as allow people to work through grief.

Despite its prevalence, only 47% of adults and 51% of youths with mental illness get treatment each year, the National Alliance on Mental Illness reports. Additionally, the average delay between the onset of mental illness symptoms and the start of treatment is 11 years.

When heroes need help: How do first responders deal with on-the-job stress in DeKalb County? Here's a few resources:

Individuals wanting to learn more about the importance of taking care of their mental health are invited to a free program at the Morris Community YMCA.

The students are petitioning to wear pins at graduation to honor a senior who took her own life in March, but administrators have denied the request.

The goal of National Alliance on Mental Health Sauk Area is, at its core, simple: Work within the community to provide as much mental health support as possible.

The event will include the screening of three short films, a food truck, a bar, a red carpet, live music, raffles and a silent auction. The films touch on themes such as depression, domestic abuse and grief.

The bill would provide instruction for school districts on relaxation activities, such as yoga or meditation, once per week for 20 minutes .

The Northwestern Medicine Ben Gordon Living Room in DeKalb now offers 24/7 walk-in crisis care for those suffering from mental illness or substance abuse, among others. Staff held a ribbon-cutting Monday to celebrate the expansion.

The Will and Grundy Counties for the National Alliance on Mental Illness will hold its annual certified and chip-timed 5K loop on May 18 at the Joliet Regional Airport.

Owner Brad Edmondson has struggled with mental health problems for most of his life, but found serenity in sparring and created a safe space for those going through the same battles.

NAMI Sauk Area is hosting an open house on Friday to introduce the community to its new office space and share information about its programs. The open house is set for 5-6 p.m. April 12 at 3101 Freeport Road, Sterling.

The Holistic Mental Health Care for Youth in Care Task Force will meet quarterly and submit reports to the governor and General Assembly.

Different programs offer different approaches to help veterans cope; the key, organizers say, is getting veterans connected with help.

Voters in Tuesday's election will make important decisions. Here's a look back at our coverage leading up to the Illinois primary.