Reinventing Crisis Response:
988 Launch a Milestone Moment
On July 16, Illinois activated 988, the new three digit phone number that now connects callers in all 50 states into the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline call center network. The launch of this easy-to-remember number is an essential piece of a comprehensive movement to build a stronger mental health crisis system for our nation.
In Illinois, the 988 launch also marks a major milestone toward reversing decades of underinvestment in our crisis system . In the first quarter of 2022, only 20% of Lifeline calls from Illinois were answered in-state, lagging far behind most of the nation. Thanks to 988, the state's FY23 budget directs over $10 million into bolstering Illinois' six existing call centers and opening a new statewide 'overflow' center in Bloomington. These investments are a down payment on the larger system that must be built -- current resources cover about 20% of what federal officials estimate is needed to address call volume that is expected to grow 14% a year as 988 takes hold.
As all of NAMI's 19 Illinois affiliates support 988 in their own communities, our statewide strategy focuses on working with allies, lawmakers, and state agencies to build support for a comprehensive crisis system. Our shared vision is organized around four key pillars:
Someone to Talk To. Every single call is answered by a well-prepared Illinoisan who is directly connected to all parts of the crisis continuum. 988 is the front door of a complete, coordinated system.
A Safe, Appropriate Response. Mental health crises get a mental health response from a statewide network of mobile response teams. Police are partners, not the only option.
A Place to Heal. Every Illinoisan has access to nearby 'crisis stabilization centers' where they can work on their recovery and access every available resource.
Sustainable Funding for Permanent Systems. As with our 911 system, mental health crisis services need sustainable funding that is always protected, and never politicized.
988 is only one piece of the puzzle. In 2021, the new Community Emergency Services and Support Act (CESSA) established Mobile Crisis Response (MCR) teams of mental health professionals to reduce an over-reliance on law enforcement and the 911 system that is not built to handle mental health crises. Teams have now been established across Illinois, but the detailed work of building a coordinated system is just beginning.
Similarly, providing access to crisis stabilization centers means tackling major gaps in all treatment options, from a shortage of in-patient beds to demand for 'Living Room' drop-in centers in every community. Staffing these systems also demands an acceleration of efforts to build a larger and more diverse behavioral health workforce. (See below for an update on NAMI Illinois' Architecture for Inclusion workforce strategy.)
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"Help Not Handcuffs"
Join NAMI tonight at 6 pm (CT) for the webinar, "Help Not Handcuffs – A Day in the Life: Mental Health Emergencies and Police Response," which will continue the conversation from the March 8 "Help Not Handcuffs" session.
Speakers include CIT International Executive Director Ron Bruno; Center for Policing Equity President and COO Dirk Butler; SolutionPoint + Founder and CEO Joe Smarro; and Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council Crisis Resiliency Specialist Ernie Stevens. NAMI CEO Dan Gillison will serve as moderator. Register here. or email nrichtman@nami.org.for more information. The HBO documentary, “Ernie and Joe: Crisis Cops*,” is available for virtual screening from July 17-July 24, 2022 .
* Please note this film includes a scene related to a suicide attempt. Please remember to reach out for support if needed. In a crisis, text "NAMI" to 741741 for 24/7, confidential, free crisis counseling.
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Minority Mental Health is a 24/7/365 Commitment
While Minority Mental Health Month is observed in July, NAMI Illinois is dedicated to mental health equity each and every day. Work is organized around a comprehensive effort to engage and support leaders of color, expand access to services, break down stigma, and support the unique needs of every community.
We've also expanded our own Board and launching a Board DEI committee to ensure our own actions reflect and celebrate the rich diversity of our state. We expect this work to evolve as these leaders provide new guidance, and existing work matures. Current efforts build around three working strategies:
ONE: Focus on high-leverage, cross-cutting issues that directly impact equity across Illinois. Current priorities are Reinventing Crisis Response (described above) and Architecture for Workforce Inclusion. Workforce was a major theme of our 2021 state conference, with two keynote panels and several workshops engaging key leaders and stakeholders to help shape our agenda.
We are especially excited about our partnership with Sinai Urban Health Initiative to pilot a Community Health Worker model focused on behavioral health. The first cohort recently graduated, and will be featured in our first Architecture for Inclusion issue brief later this year. We are also pleased to renew our support for the NAMI Illinois Association of Peer Professionals, an emerging community of leaders we will feature in a future newsletter.
TWO: Use new outreach initiatives like NAMI Sharing Hope and NAMI Compartiendo Esperanza to introduce NAMI into more communities of color. Since we announced the project during 2021 Minority Mental Health Month, NAMI Illinois has emerged as a leader in a nationwide pilot of the reinvented Sharing Hope and Compartiendo Esperanza initiatives, which use culturally competent videos and local facilitators to break down stigma and foster dialogue about mental health in Black and Latino communities.
Six states have copied our innovative mini-grant program that channeled resources to eight local NAMI affiliates, which have recruited dozens of new facilitators and provided input needed to fill in crucial gaps in facilitator training and support. Equally important, this pilot has led to an expanded effort and small grant from Kohl's and NAMI national to prepare more people of color to lead NAMI Connection and NAMI Family Support groups.
THREE: Engage with leaders to develop collaborative strategies to address the unique circumstances of every stakeholder community. While cross-cutting issues like workforce help drive unity, our strategy gives equal importance to engaging, understanding, and supporting the many unique communities that make up our state. Over the last 18 months, NAMI IL has systematically expanded our relationships in Black, Latinx, Asian Heritage communities, as well as other under-supported groups including Rural Illinois, LGBTQ+ communities, Youth/Emerging Adults.
As capacity grows, we expect to organize or participate in affinity groups that include and focus on each constituency. These networks are not ceremonial -- the leaders we are engaging have already shaped our work and have become a powerful pipeline for new leadership in the NAMI community.
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NAMI Illinois Provides Support to Cope with Recent Violence
As the tragic events in Highland Park unfolded, NAMI Illinois brought together leaders of several affiliates to offer rapid response support groups on "Coping with Community Violence" and organize other resources in both English and Spanish. Recognizing that violence and trauma are everyday realities in many communities of color, all sessions were offered statewide. A special session was also organized to support NAMI's own community of healers, many of whom are struggling. Special thanks to NAMI Lake County, NAMI Cook County North Suburban, NAMI Barrington area, and NAMI Chicago for their leadership and hard work.
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"Ending the Silence"
Participants learn about the warning signs of mental health conditions, signs of suicide, and how to ask for help for themselves or a friend through an in-person presentation, via a live zoom presentation, or our new virtual Ending the Silence site ets.nami.org.
NAMI Illinois organizes referrals to ETS providers at affiliates across the state. To request a presentation, email nami@namiillinoi.org.
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Resources for Teens
& Young Adults
Lack of mental health service in and out of school has taken center stage since the pandemic started. More than a third of high school students reported experiencing poor mental health in 2021, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Faced with that, Serena Thakkar, a recent graduate of St. Charles East H.S. and a group of Illinois teens are trying to hold schools accountable for making things better for students. Read Susie An's complete story from WBEZ Chicago at tinyurl.com/3n7hjyrx
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"Meet Little Monster"
NAMI Illinois has programs and resources available for children in need of mental health support, as well as for their families and caregivers. Visit namiillinois.org to learn more.
We're pleased to share NAMI's release of "Meet Little Monster," a mental health coloring and activity book created for young children as a tool for them to express and explore their feelings in a fun, creative and empowering way, as well as to help foster dialogue between children and the safe adults in their lives. The activity book, created by NAMI Washington, also includes a list of mental health resources. "Meet Little Monster" is available for download to families, organizations, teachers and young people across the country at no-cost in English, as well as Spanish.
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Save the Date! State NAMI Conference is Oct. 14 & 15 |
Our statewide Healing State of Mind conference is back, and this time we're in person (knock wood!)
Join hundreds of advocates, leaders, and everyday people as our Illinois NAMI community gathers on October 14 and 15 in Palos Hills Illinois at Moraine Valley Community College. Stay tuned for details throughout the summer starting with the Call for Workshop Proposals and Early Bird registration later this month.
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JOIN OUR TEAM! NAMI Illinois Seeks Talented Change Agents
NAMI Illinois is on the move! We are currently recruiting talented candidates for Development/Communications Manager and Community Engagement Manager, and expect to announce another senior role later this summer. These professionals will play a key role in shaping the future of NAMI across Illinois, as we continue to strengthen core programs, welcome new partners, advocate for equity and access, and ramp up affiliates in communities that need NAMI support.
NAMI Illinois offers competitive compensation, excellent benefits, professional growth opportunities, and a commitment to work-life balance. Applications are welcomed by qualified applicants of all backgrounds from across Illinois. Inquiries and applications can be directed to engagement@namiillinois.org
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