On September 29, 2015 the DeKalb County in partnership with the Honorable Judge Robbin Stuckert, supported by a planning committee, hosted a Mental Health Coordinating Council meeting. Forty-four stakeholders representing law enforcement, local human services, local government, Northern Illinois University and others convened to start a conversation regarding the state of mental health in DeKalb County.
Topics discussed at the meeting included the purpose of a Mental Health Coordinating Council –including how to keep those with mental illness out of the criminal justice system, Mental Health Trends, Hot Topics including 911 Super Utilizers, 211 Resource & Referral Opportunity, Crisis Intervention Training Opportunities for Law Enforcement, general discussion and next steps. Areas and issues brought to light during the general discussion included supportive housing for citizens with mental illness, inpatient psychiatric services, the need for mental health data and data sharing capabilities and how to be trauma-informed providers.
The conversation was excellent and the passion and investment of the stakeholders show that the time for discussion and action regarding mental health services is now. To keep the conversation alive and the momentum moving forward, the next step is to host a Mental Health Summit to examine programs that are working around the State of Illinois and to learn from those programs. The planning committee is working with the Illinois Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health and Justice to put the summit together. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Deanna Cada, Executive Director, DeKalb County Community Mental Health Board, 815-899-4960.
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