New Mental Health Board Ready to Serve
By Karen Haave
Will County’s fledgling Community Mental Health Board will tackle critical issues revolving around mental health services offered there, including the treatment of mental illness, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and substance use.
The board was created with the approval of Will County voters in the 2022 General Election and has the administrative support of the county executive’s office.
“Mental healthcare have been overlooked for years,” said Katrina Jones of University Park, who was elected president of the board during its organizational meeting earlier this month.
“They have put their focus on other things. Now that more and more suicides, killings, overdoses and more individuals are being diagnosed with mental illness, it can’t be overlooked anymore. It’s affecting society.
“Just recently an elderly man committed suicide in Monee at the police department. Don’t know what triggered him to do that, but it’s sad and alarming at the same time.
“Depression is a silent killer. People appear happy on the outside but are crying on the inside. If the people around them don’t notice a change in their behaviors or brush it off as something else, it can be detrimental mentally to the person with depression. A person with depression often doesn’t speak about it because they are ashamed or scared. They feel like they are alone in this world.
“The most important thing people should know about mental illness is that it can be managed with the proper medical treatment and support.”
Jones believes there should be training available for non-medical people on how to interact with someone with mental illness. Education classes should be provided for everyone on mental health. People with mental health issues should be treated fairly to prevent triggering an episode or having them feel left out.
“ I hope that we as a collective whole can provide mental health and substance abuse services to the residents throughout Will county without having to travel far from home,” she added. “Many people with mental health issues or substance abuse issues don’t have means of transportation to seek treatment and follow up accordingly.
“ I’m very excited to be part of this new board. With my background in the medical field as a nurse for 22 years, I deal with patients with mental health issues, as well as substance abuse. Resources are very limited for these patients unless they travel far from home.
“I would like the residents to know that we are here to assist them with their needs in regards to mental health and substance abuse.“
Michael Flanagan, a Green Garden Township resident, was appointed secretary. He is a retired firefighter with experience providing peer support for firefighters, police officers and military veterans.
His civic involvement includes the Illinois Firefighter Peer Support Group, 100 Club of Illinois, National Association of Down Syndrome, and the Will County Historic Preservation Commission.
“It is an honor to be appointed to the Mental Health Board by the Will County Executive and confirmed by the County Board,” he said.
Over 54 percent of the voters in Will County voted to make the promotion of mental health, as well as the support of those with addictions and intellectual disabilities, a priority, he said.
“That reflects how important it is to the residents that those in need of critical services have both greater access to already existing programs and also the aid of new initiatives.”
Flanagan said the board is made up of a diverse group of individuals who bring a wide range of perspectives. This will enable the board to better understand the varied needs of the residents in Will County, he added.
“We need to focus not only on those suffering from mental health issues, but also on every person who can benefit from greater awareness of good mental, emotional, and behavioral health practices,” Flanagan continued.
“This includes all those with intellectual disabilities who strive for inclusion and their caretakers who often need support and respite programs.
“It also includes all those who suffer from addictions and are struggling to resolve the root issues leading to these behaviors, as well as recognizing the impact on the communities and families of those individuals.
“I look forward to working with the Board in the next few months to develop the first year priorities and budget.”
Others who will serve with Jones and Flanagan are board members Elnalyn Costa, a Will County Board Member from Bolingbrook; Orlando DeYoung (Plainfield); Terri King of NAMI (Plainfield); Jessica Parks (Bolingbrook); and Ashley Searing (Joliet).
Karen Haave is a freelance reporter.