The warning signs of a mental health or substance use crisis vary. Some people may be agitated, express suicidal thoughts or appear disconnected from reality. Others may withdraw or become unable to care for their basic needs. When a person is at risk of harming themselves or others, they deserve compassion, support and care from trained behavioral health professionals.
In 2022, the Cook County Department of Public Health and the Justice Advisory Council co-chaired a task force to strengthen crisis care in suburban Cook County. A key recommendation was a comprehensive needs assessment.
In the recently released resulting report — Community & Provider Voices: Strengths and Opportunities in the Suburban Cook County Crisis Care System — we document how Illinois has made substantial investments in crisis care, including establishing a 988 hotline system for mental health emergencies, funding mobile response teams and helping create centers that offer a full range of crisis services.”
Despite this progress, many suburban residents reported they had not heard of 988 — which has been available nationally since 2022 — and continued to rely on 911 and emergency rooms. While law enforcement and emergency care can play a role in keeping people safe, the best outcomes occur when behavioral health professionals lead crisis response from the start.
Data also show deep inequities. Between 2020 and 2022, suburban Cook County averaged 40 mental health-related emergency room visits per 1,000 residents. The suburban ZIP code with the highest rate of mental health related emergency room visits had nearly six times the average for suburban Cook.
There are also higher numbers of substance use emergency visits in communities of color. Such differences highlight the behavioral health impacts of structural racism and access to culturally responsive care in communities of color, especially in the south and west suburbs.
As more crisis system components take shape, coordination becomes even more critical. People who experience a crisis often need follow-up care and ongoing support.
We are working with partners and community health workers to raise awareness of 988, improve access to care and support efforts to expand crisis stabilization and residential services.
A community is measured by how it supports its most vulnerable. Building an equitable crisis care system is an investment in safety, dignity and well-being for everyone in the county.
Kiran Joshi, chief operating officer, Cook County Department of Public Health and Avik Das, executive director, Cook County Justice Advisory Council
Towing turmoil
Every year hundreds of cars are towed by the city early on Dec 1. It’s natural that people didn’t think the winter parking ban was in effect yet when they parked on Nov. 30. Have a heart. Give tickets the first night but don’t tow until the second night.
Joyce Porter, Oak Park
Distinct dishonor
Congrats to Chicago for ranking No. 1 for porch pirate thefts in the U.S.!
Mark Moran, Downers Grove