Prairie State Wire

Governor JB Pritzker, along with state leaders and mental health advocates, recently marked Mental Health Awareness Month by discussing ongoing initiatives to enhance services for individuals grappling with mental health issues and their families. The discussion took place on Wednesday, May 15, at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library in Springfield, an event organized by the Children’s Behavioral Health Transformation Initiative.

The event also spotlighted the success of the Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) program in providing trained peer support to individuals recovering from mental health and substance use disorders. It further celebrated recent graduates of the program.

The Transformation Initiative was initiated by Governor Pritzker in March 2022 to improve access to mental health services for young people. Among the initiatives being developed is the BEACON portal, a one-stop online resource connecting families to publicly funded mental health services set to launch this summer. The team is also working on a Mental Health Bill of Rights aimed at ensuring all Illinoisans who need it can receive trauma-informed, evidence-based care.

“Our goal has always been to make Illinois the best state in the nation to raise a family,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “That’s why my administration is working to improve our statewide mental and behavioral health infrastructure for people of all ages."

"Mental wellness is essential for a happy life," said Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton. "An inclusive and equitable approach to mental health will lead to stronger, more resilient communities where no one faces their challenges alone."

“This Mental Health Awareness Month is an important reminder both that mental health challenges impact many Illinois families," said Dr. Dana Weiner, Director of the Children’s Behavioral Health Transformation Initiative.

“Mental health is public health,” said Dr. Sameer Vohra, Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).

"Mental health is a vital component of a person’s overall well-being," said Dulce M. Quintero, Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Secretary Designate.

“HFS is committed to expanding capacity and broadening access to high-quality behavioral health services for children across Illinois,” Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) Director Elizabeth Whitehorn said.

“Mental health is health," said Illinois DCFS Director Heidi E. Mueller.

“Access to mental health services is absolutely vital to rehabilitation of the youth served by IDJJ, and to their families," stated Robert Vickery, Acting Director of the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice.

"Illinois has charted a path forward for our schools to prioritize the mental well-being of every student,” said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Tony Sanders.

As part of Mental Health Awareness Month activities, the Transformation Initiative is also distributing materials to promote a sense of calm and wellness, including a collaborative Spotify playlist with songs from mental health advocates across the state. The materials also include tips on dealing with stress, using the acronym “AWESOME”.