Chicago Boosts Mental Health Services As Pandemic Takes Toll

CHICAGO — City leaders Thursday announced a plan to help people struggling to deal with the mental stress, social isolation and worry about the future due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced the city will provide $1.2 million to expand access to mental health services for people living with serious mental illnesses, particularly on the South and West Sides. The city public health department will partner with Friend Health, Healthcare Alternative Systems, Thresholds and Trilogy Behavioral Healthcare to expand Assertive Community Treatment services and Community Support Teams.

“The COVID-19 crisis has been hard on all of us and its challenges have taken many forms – including challenges to our mental health,” Lightfoot said.

“The issues we’re addressing now didn’t start when COVID-19 hit our city, and they aren’t going to end with it either. We will continue to work with our city’s advocates, experts, patients and communities to enhance mental healthcare in Chicago and give our residents and families the support many so desperately need.”

The Chicago public health department has purchased a telemedicine platform called doxy.me to deliver digital behavioral health services at city mental health centers in Bronzeville, Englewood, West Elsdon, Lawndale and River North. The technology will allow city mental health centers to offer psychotherapy, psychiatry, psychosocial groups, and case management services.

The city also has partnered with Ten Percent Happier to launch "Windy City Wellness," a website that includes a curated collection of talks, guided meditation and mindfulness activities from wellness experts.

Lightfoot said that personally, she also has struggles under the "weight of this moment every day.

"As part of my wellness routine I have leaned into my faith even more. I make sure every day that I have time to just be alone, to breathe, and put the burdens of the day aside. I am intentional about finding the hope and love in the selfless acts of others. And I allow myself to cry and feel the despair that is part of this moment," she said. "I don't compartmentalize my grief, despair or fear. But I work very hard in acknowledging those very real and raw feelings, not to let them overwhelm me and to be intentional every day to find ways to let my soul recover and heal. I want to share these things because my stock answer, "Fine under the circumstances," has a lot of layers and nuance."