During Mental Health Awareness Month, The Family Institute at Northwestern University recognizes that while it is an important time to reflect on our mental and behavioral health, our work is not bound by a single month. Mental health requires continual attention — every day, week and month of the year.
As one of the nation’s leading relationship-based behavioral health organizations, we provide mental health services to children, adolescents, couples, families and individuals, and we offer rigorous training and preparation programs for future clinicians.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Prevention and Control reports the United States is in a mental health crisis, experienced by people of all ages. According to the former U.S. Surgeon General, it takes an average of 11 years for a young person with an identified mental health need to receive treatment.
The Chicago Health Atlas reported that in our city, there are significant unmet psychological and emotional needs within communities of color. Nearly 50% of Hispanic and nearly 33% of Black Chicagoans reported they have an unmet mental health need or are in serious psychological distress, compared to 17% of white Chicagoans.
These alarming trends are exacerbated by barriers to treatment. In Illinois alone, there are only 14 behavioral health professionals per 10,000 residents. More than one-third of U.S. residents live in geographies that lack mental health professionals.
It is estimated that more than 6,300 additional mental health providers are needed to meet the current need, which we are trying to meet with two master’s-level programs, building a pipeline of highly trained and qualified mental health professionals specializing in counseling or marriage and family therapy.
Our therapy services, spear-headed by a team of 110 therapists are empirically informed and culturally responsive, helping clients to see themselves more clearly to address their life’s challenges. And as an intellectual hub, our research team currently has 10 research projects studying methods for effective therapy and positive outcomes.
The World Health Organization shared that one in four people are affected by a mental health condition during their lifetime. If you or someone you know needs support, we invite you to contact us. It is never too late — or too soon — to prioritize your mental health.
Jana L. Jones, president and CEO, The Family Institute at Northwestern University
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Build up federal drug pricing program instead of attacking it
As leaders of Illinois’ community health centers, we feel compelled to correct the misleading portrayal of the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program in Dr. Erin Arnold’s recent letter, “Abuse of federal drug pricing program hurts those it’s designed to help.”
The 340B program is a critical lifeline for the very patients Dr. Arnold,and we aim to serve — low-income, uninsured and medically underserved individuals. Federally Qualified Health Centers are required by law to reinvest every dollar of 340B savings back into patient care, including access to affordable medications, behavioral health services and transportation support.
These savings are not “pocketed,” as the letter suggests — they are reinvested into expanded services that improve health outcomes and save lives.
Assertions that 340B contributes to healthcare consolidation or unfair competition overlook the realities faced by community-based providers. Health centers operate on razor-thin margins and rely on 340B savings to stretch limited resources. Suggesting these centers — whose mission is to serve the underserved — are exploiting the program ignores both federal oversight and the intent of the law.
While the letter cites statistics about contract pharmacies in wealthier areas, it omits the fact that many low-income patients live, work or seek care in those areas. Contract pharmacies help extend the reach of the 340B program, ensuring patients can access discounted medications at convenient locations. Without these partnerships, many patients would lose access entirely.
Rather than scaling back a program that works, policymakers should protect and strengthen 340B, ensuring it remains a tool for health equity. Proposals like House Bill 3350 shore up the program’s foundation by ending unnecessary barriers that enable drug manufacturers to dictate terms, reducing access and increasing costs for patients.
Community health centers remain accountable, transparent and focused on patient-centered care. The 340B program is not broken — it’s under attack. Let’s refocus on protecting the program and expanding access to care, not limiting it.
Muhammad Paracha, M.D, CEO, AHS Family Health Center, on behalf of Illinois Primary Health Care Association and Illinois’ community health centers
God’s plans
When I heard tthe first American pope had been selected, the conspiracy nut in me became convinced this was done to anger Donald Trump, who has a deep-seeded hatred of all things Chicago.
Steven Herr, West Ridge
No come-to-Jesus moment for Trump
Having just been to Rome for Pope Francis’s funeral, we now get Donald Trump fantasizing himself as the next Pope as pictured on his own Truth Social account. Even if it is a sad joke, does anyone know what faith Trump considers himself to be? Does anyone really believe he is a regular churchgoer except, of course, to the Church of the 18th Green?
And if he is such a man of faith, why did he not have his left hand on a Bible, even one of his own that he was hocking, when last sworn in? That has been a tradition at every presidential inauguration going back to each one I can ever remember.
Here’s food for thought: If having your hand on the Bible is more than a tradition, does that mean that Trump is not officially president? Now that is an interesting fantasy!
Tom Smoucha, Arlington Heights
Throwing the book
I am disappointed by Neil Steinberg’s recent column, “Why Should Suburbanites Have to Bang on the Chicago Public Library Door, Pleading to Be Let In?”
Chicago residents face many social challenges — homelessness, crime, traffic and poverty to name a few. We could move to the suburbs, but we choose to stay because of what makes this city extraordinary: a stunning lakefront lined with accessible parks, world-class museums, incredible entertainment, vibrant and diverse communities, and a fantastic public library system offering access to hundreds of thousands of resources.
We support these institutions through our tax dollars. Like residents of every Illinois city and town, Chicagoans receive at-home access to our public library’s electronic resources through our Chicago Public Library cards.
Just as Chicagoans cannot access Naperville’s or Northbrook’s library databases from home, suburban residents should not expect free remote access to the Chicago Public Library’s resources.
Mr. Steinberg’s piece comes across as a petulant complaint —a tantrum over not being allowed to keep something that doesn’t belong to him and never did.
While I understand the article was meant to be somewhat tongue-in-cheek, it nevertheless reflects an unwarranted sense of entitlement and shows a lack of appreciation for the systems Chicagoans help sustain. Frankly, it’s a poor reflection on The Sun-Times and does a disservice to the people and institutions of this city.
Chicago deserves more thoughtful journalism. Perhaps it’s time to prioritize hiring writers who live in Chicago and understand its complexities, rather than those who live in the suburbs but only engage with the city when it suits their needs. (Yes, Neil, I’m looking at you.)
Erin Anderson, Chicago
Supreme Court prospect
I concur with reader Jim Bruton and join his challenge to Catholic Supreme Court justices. But I suspect that at least two have shown signs of integrity.
Abortion is a major issue for Catholics, and I believe that recent judicial nominees have lied about support for precedence when questioned about Roe v Wade. For them, a little lie was forgivable to stop abortions.
I can relate to their adherence to their conscience. But they have shown signs of opposing other assaults on democracy by Donald Trump and hopefully they will prevail without the need for the military to back them up.
John Powers, Rolling Meadows