Mental Health Crisis Response in Illinois

Illinois offers crisis response local hotlines to help you meet your urgent mental health needs. You can find the number for the hotline nearest you by visiting this link. No matter where in Illinois you may be located, you can call the National Suicide Prevention hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The State of Mental Health in Illinois

Illinois currently ranks 19th in the United States for mental healthcare, and the Illinois Department of Human Services - Division of Mental Health (DMH), and the Division of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse (DASA) are working together to continually improve their ranking. The state has been divided into five regions with their own, publicly-funded services that are made available to adults and children with mental illnesses or emotional disturbances. These are community based and operated, intended to uniquely cater to the local communities which they serve.

With Illinois’s diverse population, cultural sensitivity and a person-centered approach to therapeutic services is absolutely vital. The State of Illinois is working to make recovery-oriented care accessible in every community. Therapists, counselors, and psychologists are developing their skills and incorporating best practices from the always-evolving field of mental healthcare, in hopes of the best outcomes for their clients. DMH is shifting from the model of institutional care to one of community-based care, allowing for flexibility in practices and care based on needs within that specific community. Like many other states, Illinois is aware of the increasing importance of integrative care. Seamless communication between providers at various institutions, public and private, will ensure a more uniform approach to care.

For assistance in navigating treatment for substance abuse in Illinois, call the Illinois Helpline at 1-833-234-6343.

NAMI Illinois

The National Alliance for Mental Illness, or NAMI, is open to anyone struggling with mental illness. NAMI is an inclusive and community-based resource geared towards raising awareness and supporting group members on their journey to recovery. With group counseling sessions led by a trained member with a diagnosis (past or present), meetings follow a set of 12 principles for support. NAMI meetings are meant to complement your existing treatment plan with your counselor or psychologist. There are many chapters of NAMI that meet in Illinois, including virtual meet-ups. Find yours here.

Personalize your search and find the therapist near you that best suits your healing and development needs. By using our match tool, you can view counselors that specializes in your area of concern, and that are armed with the expertise and modalities needed for you to begin your journey to wellbeing.

Our Therapist Directory