2024-03-26 23:24:00
ILLINOIS (WIFR) – Local mental health facilities express the need for more mental health resources throughout their communities.
1 in 5 adults experience mental illness each year across the country. Health experts say the number of people diagnosed and seeking treatment is steadily on the rise as the crisis continues. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in Illinois, 403,000 adults suffer from a serious mental illness. NAMI president Christina Valdez says she has seen more and more people coming to them for help. While Winnebago County has great resources, she says not every program is right for every person.
“We begin by going through and assessing first if they are a harm to themselves or others and we escalate the situations based on those facts,” Valdez says. “It is ultimately up to the person with mental illness to reach out for the support.”
Northwestern Medicine’s Ben Gordon Center in DeKalb offers 60-to-90-minute assessments with a clinician to determine a person’s mental health status. Using contributing factors from each person’s life, they can assess the scope of help they can offer. Director Sabria Nicholson says if they cannot treat a person’s specific needs, they refer the patient to a more suitable program.
“The worst-case scenario is someone saying I need help and being turned away and so we never want to do that,” Nicholson says. “But unfortunately, that does exist at times so it’s really regarding if we have to turn away, what are we still giving them.”
Nicholson also says having local facilities can determine if a person seeks treatment. She says the burden of having to travel can deter some people from making that choice.
Valdez says more than 5,000 people have received help thanks to the Winnebago County Mental Health Board Tax, which allowed providers more financial access to expand services. But she says no system can ever reach a level of perfection. She thinks Winnebago County can do more for mental health and help change the stigma that surrounds it.
“When they are properly treated those occurrences can diminish if this is not typically a violent individual,” Valdez says. “Knowing that if untreated that does not mean that all individuals who suffer from mental illness are dangerous.”
Valdez shares the biggest gap in service is with men. 75% of those who are diagnosed with a mental illness are likely to consider suicide.
If you or someone you know are struggling with mental health, here are helpful resources:
Behavioral Health Services, Psychiatry Services | Northwestern Medicine
Compassionate Treatment for Addiction and Substance Abuse | Northwestern Medicine
Northwestern Medicine Ben Gordon Center: The Living Room | Northwestern Medicine
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Call. Text. Chat. (988lifeline.org)
Call 211 for Essential Community Services | United Way 211
Crisis Text Line | Text HOME To 741741 free, 24/7 Crisis Counseling
SAMHSA’s National Helpline | SAMHSA
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