Mental health has been a hot topic in 2020, but how does the increased attention and funding factor into the services people can access?
WINNEBAGO COUNTY — Mental health received more attention during the 2020 coronavirus lockdown, but Winnebago County leaders say it's not the biggest mental health story 815 has seen. I would say In the November election, Winnebago County voters approved a sales tax addition that would bring in nearly $20 million annually to fund additional mental health programs.
The referendum will raise the consumption tax from 7.25% to 7.75%.
Last year, the Winnebago County Mental Health Commission used its funds to fund more than 40 programs, which, when combined with programs that already exist outside of funding, helped support the local mental health sector, including Northern Illinois Executive Director NAMI. Teamwork is a hot topic for many leaders. Daniel Angilleri.
“I think there are a lot of people who have been personally affected and who want to make a difference, and like a lot of people, I think building bridges between all providers works really well together. I think so,” Angilleri said. “Could there be more providers? Yes. But I think a lot of times people want to work together to help people in their community.”
The following list is detailed, but not exhaustive, and merely indicates the level of service in the Rockford area.
Mental Health Committee projects:
Before the 2020 sales tax referendum was passed, Jason Holcomb of the Region 1 Planning Council said some services were business-first and needed enough funding to justify staying open. He said it is necessary to make sure that the He said it created an environment that didn't suit everyone's needs.
“Service availability is often limited during times of the day when usage is high, and in some cases there may be some kind of limited service availability on weekend nights. , and the types and types of services that can be provided frequently are limited to most clinical services,” Holcomb said. Said.
Since then, he says, the Winnebago County Mental Health Board has been able to use that funding to expand its hours and services to help people from all walks of life.
Rosecrance:
Rosecrance accounts for the largest portion of the county's mental health sales tax, raising more than $4 million to expand coverage, train more staff, and provide housing and critical care for people in need. ing.
Crisis response team:
Mr Rosecrance also plays a key role in the Crisis Response Team, which brings together mental health professionals and police to help distinguish between crime and mental health episodes.
A busy night at Rockford City Council leads to the expansion of the crisis response team and approval of federal funding for the redevelopment of low-income housing units near downtown Rockford.
The team brought in Rockford police, Love's Park police and Winnebago County sheriff's deputies to fill out the roster, which demands about $2 million annually from the mental health commission. Holcomb says perhaps the best part about the program is that the team checks on people not only when they're in crisis, but long after police lights are gone from the scene. .
“A crisis is not just an event,” Holcomb said. “It's not a flash in the pan. When a crisis occurs, a lot of things happen afterward. The joint response team is making sure that the follow-up is done not just to connect people to long-term treatment.” We're just dealing with a short-term crisis.”
Winnebago County Jail/Juvenile Detention Mental Health Services:
Winnebago County, the sheriff's department and the courts are divvying up large sums of money given to them by the Mental Health Commission to help people in jail. Regardless of a person's age, this money will help connect people to mental health services and prevent them from falling back into situations that jeopardize their ability to stay together.
Rockford Park District – Equine Therapy:
However, the Mental Health Commission does more than just fund traditional counseling and mental health services, as Rockford's Park District funds an equine therapy program at Rockwood Park. The park district has expanded its indoor facility to allow therapy programs to run year-round.
The center provides equine therapy specifically to younger members of the community.
Nami of Northern Illinois:
The organization has donated $200,000 to help remove barriers to mental health and educate people about what services are available in Rockford and other nearby cities. The organization is also dedicated to educating people about mental health in general, how to foster productive conversations about mental health, and the distinction between mental health and mental illness.
Tommy Corral Memorial Foundation:
NAMI is not the only local organization focusing on education. The Tommy Corral Foundation focuses specifically on a program they call “Mental Health First Aid.” The Mental Health Commission has greenlit $20,000 for a program to train the public to recognize when people are in a mental health crisis and how to help those in crisis. . And perhaps most importantly, recognizing warning signs in advance so we can get people into services before they become a mental health crisis. This training also helps you draw the line between what you say or do to those who are suffering and what you do is helpful and harmful. From mental illness.
These are just a few of the dozens of programs approved by the Winnebago County Mental Health Commission last year.Click here to see the complete list here.
Other services:
Winnebago County Community Care Coordinator:
This service by the Winnebago County Coroner's Office is funded through the Opioid Settlement Fund. The funds helped hire a community care coordinator to help families who have lost a loved one to overdose. The coordinator connects the family to grief services and also addresses other substance abuse within the family. Coroner Jennifer Murasky said follow-up after a fatal overdose is important because in her experience, there are often multiple drug users in a household.
“Then she continues to follow up with that family,” Murasky said. “'How are you doing? Can I provide you with resources?' Education, because we know that in many cases there may be more than just one user in the household. That’s why.”
Marshmallow's wish:
This organization provides several services to people in need of mental health care. Marshmallow's Hope is committed to helping parents get the mental health treatment they need for their children, from counseling services to help determining which mental health services will be most effective to how to agree to insurance coverage.
Breaking our silence:
Kevin Polky has worked in the mental health field for decades, focusing on education and breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health. Polky is specifically dedicated to educating youth in schools across Stateline and providing other services to those who need to talk about mental health.
