For most of us in Sangamon County, gaps in mental health services are felt in deeply personal ways. A recent survey of every census tract in our community found that four in 10 of our neighbors have had an unmet mental health need in the last three years. While a decade of assessments has warned […]
mental health
Posted inArts & Culture
Support suicide prevention
Walk to end the stigma associated with mental health this Saturday during the Out of Darkness Community Walk for suicide prevention. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is the nation’s leader in the fight against suicide. Funds generated from their community walks and other programs enable the AFSP to invest in new research, create educational […]
Posted inNews
A martyr or a menace?
Jeremiah Elugbadebo of Springfield runs Joyce’s Community Home for Adults, two houses for people with mental and physical disabilities. The houses have been cited several times for alleged violations by city building inspectors, but Elugbadebo says he is providing a valuable service for people who might otherwise be homeless. PHOTO BY PATRICK YEAGLE Correction: This […]
Posted inNews
Agreement paves way for juvenile justice reforms
A federal class-action lawsuit settled last week requires Illinois to improve conditions for incarcerated youth, but the state agency overseeing the facilities says many reforms are already in place. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Illinois and the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice settled a lawsuit demanding improvements to safety, services and treatment for […]
Posted inNews
Lawsuit claims Illinois illegally withholds treatment for kids
A class action lawsuit against the state of Illinois alleges state welfare agencies illegally withhold treatment for children with emotional and behavioral disorders. The lawsuit could affect more than 18,000 youth with severe mental illnesses and emotional disturbances in Illinois. Filed against the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, the lawsuit seeks to force […]
Posted inNews
Court blasts VA for mental health failings
Every day, 18 veterans in the United States commit suicide, while another 1,000 attempt suicide each month. That’s according to a federal district court which recently ordered the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to address long delays experienced by veterans seeking mental health services. The decision, issued in the United States Court of Appeals […]
