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Addressing holistic resource needs requires that we remove police from crisis responses and invest in community-based, non-aggressive, high quality mental health services. This means reopening public mental health centers.
Identifying Mental Health Issues
Unlike other health issues, the symptoms of mental illness can be difficult to recognize. For example, if you are feeling anxious, it may seem normal to feel nervous before a big event like a job interview, but anxiety that interferes with your daily life or feels out of control can be a sign of a mental health condition. People may also experience mood changes or unusual behavior. For example, some people who have depression may become angry more easily and frequently than others.
While there is no test that can determine whether someone has a mental illness, it is important to get help when you have concerns. A doctor or mental health professional can evaluate your symptoms and recommend a treatment plan that might include psychotherapy (talk therapy), medication, lifestyle changes or other forms of support.
The need for treatment depends on a variety of factors, including how severe the symptoms are and how much they interfere with your ability to function. Some conditions require more intensive care, such as in a psychiatric hospital. You may need to stay in the hospital for a short period of time, or for longer depending on the nature and severity of your symptoms.
Mental illness can affect all aspects of a person’s life, including relationships and work. However, many people with mental health issues do not receive the help they need. They may avoid seeking treatment because they think their symptoms are a sign of weakness or that they will not improve, or they may be unable to afford treatment.
Many community organizations and schools offer programs to assist students with mental health issues. For example, BUILD provides peer support groups and behavioral health services to youth impacted by violence, trauma and other social stressors in Chicago’s most challenged communities. They provide education, advocacy and outreach to help them access health care, know their rights and connect with additional resources. They also conduct mental health awareness and educational presentations to young people in their communities.
Getting Help
Getting help for mental health issues can feel daunting, but it is important to take the first step and seek out treatment. There are a number of ways to do this, including seeking out an in-person counselor or psychologist, finding support groups, or accessing online resources. Therapists can offer a wide range of services, from short term individual therapy to more intensive group or family support sessions. Additionally, some therapists specialize in specific conditions or life events. For example, some may work with couples with relationship challenges, or be trained in working with individuals who have been traumatized by sexual assault or other forms of abuse.
Many advocacy and professional organizations have directories that can be used to find a local provider. Additionally, some healthcare insurance companies also have online tools that can be used to find providers in your area. Some insurance plans also provide benefits for a limited number of free or low-cost counseling sessions.
A number of community organizations and non-profits offer a variety of mental health services at no cost to the consumer. These may include community counseling centers, religious or spiritual communities, and social service agencies. Additionally, some schools have begun offering wellness checks for students that can help identify mental health concerns and refer them to a specialist if needed.
Some people with financial limitations are eligible for discounted or free mental health care through government programs like Medicaid and Medicare. The state of Illinois offers a comprehensive mental health coverage option through Medicaid, which is available to all residents with low incomes. This program also provides benefits for individuals over the age of 65 who receive a monthly check from the government known as Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
The City of Chicago has a helpful website that lists many of the city’s available mental health services, including group counseling and support groups. The site is broken down by topic and can be easily searched using the search bar. This resource is particularly valuable for people who are at risk of homelessness, as it includes a list of shelters and meals that are available for those in need during the winter months.
Coping Skills
Coping skills are any strategies you use to manage your emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in response to stressful situations. They can include healthy practices, like exercising or spending time with friends and family, as well as unhealthy ones, like using drugs and alcohol, overeating, oversleeping, or self-mutilation. Often, a combination of these approaches is needed to help you deal with the stressors that are causing mental health problems for you.
Mood swings, obsessive or compulsive behaviors (like excessive hand washing, counting, or checking), delusions and hallucinations, work or school problems, or relationship issues can indicate that you are struggling with a mental health issue. While they can be frustrating and uncomfortable, coping with these symptoms is possible, with the right support.
People can find the resources and support they need through community-based organizations, such as No Black Girl Left Behind or the Chicagoland Alliance for Families. They can also contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or 911 for help during a mental health crisis.
A recent UIC research project conducted by the Collaborative for Community Wellness found that the vast majority of city residents do not have access to barrier-free mental health services through a privatized provider. This problem is exacerbated by the fact that community members have repeatedly expressed that they need alternatives to 911 for crisis care.
New research from the CCW and the UIC Community Research Collective supports the community demands for building an accessible, patient-centered public mental healthcare system. The divestment from public mental healthcare has created a dynamic whereby mental health challenges are more likely to escalate to the level of acute crisis, while reliance on police for crisis response is both harmful and ineffective.
The city of Chicago can proactively address these problems by reopening and expanding the public mental health centers that have been closed over the years, as well as providing preventative community mental healthcare that reduces the likelihood that mental health struggles will escalate to crisis level in the first place. This can be achieved through a community care corps that engages residents proactively, while also creating long-term, post-crisis supports to help them build healthier and more resilient lives.
Treatment Options
There is no one-size-fits-all treatment option, but there are many different coping skills and techniques that can be used to manage mental health issues. Some people find relief from certain types of medications, such as antidepressants or anxiety medication. Others may benefit from a combination of medication and therapy. Still others may need to go to a more intensive care setting, such as a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) or Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP). Compass Health offers these services, which are provided by Master’s level clinicians and are available for individuals who require immediate, comprehensive behavioral health care.
There are also a number of outpatient services available. Most community mental health centers (CMHCs) and behavioral health clinics accept Medicaid and offer a low sliding scale fee for clients without insurance coverage. These providers can provide psychiatric evaluations, medication, and individual or group therapy sessions. Some CMHCs and BHCs also offer specialty mental health services like case management, day treatment and other support services.
If you need to find a therapist, start by searching online directories for a local provider. These websites allow you to search by location, insurance, therapist experience and more. Some sites even have a quiz that matches you with a therapist who might be a good fit.
Depending on the specifics of your situation, you might consider choosing a therapist with specialized training in certain areas, such as relationships or LGBTIA+ issues. If you have health insurance, you might want to choose a therapist who is in-network with your health insurance company. This can help you save money on your co-pay or deductible.
If you are a psychiatry chicago resident, it is important to note that there are resources available to you, regardless of your income or whether or not you have insurance. For example, the city’s emergency hotline, 988, is free to call and provides access to a trained crisis responder. In addition, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services has a helpful page that lists available resources for those in need. This includes information on how to get free and low cost behavioral health treatment in Chicago.