Prairie State Wire

The Pritzker Administration has announced a new initiative aimed at enhancing mental health care for children in Illinois. This state program is designed to assist pediatricians and other providers in addressing children's mental health needs by improving services in emergency departments and schools. The initiative will increase consultation services, offer mental health education and training to healthcare professionals, and expand the network of accessible mental health resources and referrals.

Governor JB Pritzker emphasized the importance of this program, stating, "With these new dedicated resources, Illinois will better identify children who are suffering through mental health challenges and ensure they receive treatment and therapies that work while also addressing disparities in access to mental health treatment."

Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton highlighted the significance of supporting children's development into healthy adults: "Our children deserve the resources that will help them develop into happy, healthy adults, which includes access to mental health services for those struggling."

Dr. Sameer Vohra, Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), noted the growing behavioral health challenges faced by children: "This trend was evident even before the emergence of COVID-19 and was exacerbated by the pandemic." He added that this program would provide more resources for addressing children's needs.

The $2.5 million federally funded initiative involves several partners including IDPH, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS), the Department of Human Services (DHS), University of Illinois Chicago's DocAssist Program, and the Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (ICAAP).

Theresa Eagleson, HFS Director, expressed her commitment to expanding behavioral health services: "Expanding access to behavioral health services for children across Illinois is a top priority for HFS."

Grace B. Hou from DHS underscored their dedication to increasing supports for young people: "It is our shared priority to ensure that every opportunity and resource is maximized."

Dr. David Albert from DHS highlighted how this partnership could improve children's well-being: "Mental healthcare is healthcare - and by providing mental health consultations...children requiring a mental health intervention will be much more likely to have their treatment needs met."

Dana Weiner from UIC stressed early detection's role in managing issues before they escalate: "Early touchpoints with pediatricians are key opportunities..."

Diane M. Misch from UIC's DocAssist Program mentioned expected growth in consultations due to this partnership: "...pediatric mental health consultations are projected to grow by more than 40%..."

Mary Dobbins from ICAAP welcomed these developments as vital support tools for practitioners working with youth.

The program aims at supporting various primary care providers including pediatricians along with school-based staff or emergency department personnel often first responders when kids need help urgently.