Chicago Mental Health

The symbol of Chicago is the “I Will’ figure. Adopted in 1891, the symbol is a conception of the strength, vitality, and heroism that are intrinsic to the character of the Windy City. Today the “I Will” figure is also a prominent reminder of the city’s dedication to providing its citizens with the best mental health initiatives available. Chicago displays its commitment to progressive change in the number of mental health care options it makes available to its nearly 3-million citizens. Along with an abundance of private health care providers and public mental health programs, Chicago is home to several excellent universities that combine comprehensive research and study programs to provide assistance to those in need.

CDHP (Chicago Department of Public Health)

Health care for its citizens is a priority in Chicago and assistance for mental health problems can be found from several departments maintained and supported by the city. A list of mental health clinics affiliated with the Chicago Department of Mental Health (a division of the CDHP) includes:

Auburn Gresham
Back of the Yards
Beverly-Morgan Park
Chatham-Avalon
Englewood
Greater Grand/Mid-South
Greater Lawn
Lawndale
North River
Northtown/Rogers Park
Northwest
Roseland
Woodlawn

South Chicago Clinic is a walk-in clinic that helps its patrons in areas of mental health with services that include Pre-Care Counseling, Psychological Services, Social Services, and Family Case Management for children, adolescents, and families regardless of their financial ability.

The CDHS (Chicago Dept of Human Services) is a city-funded agency that helps Chicago residents connect with necessary services including Emergency/Crisis Intervention.

The Office of Health Care Access helps consumers to become knowledgeable about and empowers them to act upon their health care needs. Trained counselors on its CAREline assist the public by answering questions and resolving issues that prevent them from getting the health care they need.

Chicago Universities— Research & Recovery go hand in hand

Northwestern University, the first university in Chicago, was founded in 1851. Today the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences of Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine offers educational, research, and clinical programs that are nationally recognized for excellence in patient care, teaching, and research and is ranked in the top third of medical school departments of psychiatry for research funding by the National Institutes of Health.

The Asher Center for the Study and Treatment of Depressive Disorders
The Psycho-Legal Studies Program
The Northwestern Clinical Research Program
The Mental Health Services and Policy Program
The Center for Genetics in Psychiatry

The University of Chicago opened on October 1, 1892 with an enrollment of 594 and a faculty of 103. The University of Chicago's School of Medicine matriculated its first class in 1927. Today their Department of Psychiatry is committed to furthering knowledge about psychiatric conditions with ongoing research including:

The biology and molecular genetics of autism and other childhood disorders,
Human and animal behavioral psychopharmacology
Clinical and molecular genetic research of bipolar illness, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer’s disease
Neurobiology and treatment of impulsive aggression
Disruptive behavior disorders (conduct disorder and attention deficit disorder)

In addition, the department maintains multiple programs in areas that include:

Autism spectrum disorders
Attention deficit disorder
Neuropsychiatry and neuropsychology
Mood and anxiety disorders
Medical psychiatry
Sexual dysfunction
Intermittent explosive disorder
Dialectical behavioral and intensive psychodynamic psychotherapies
Forensic psychiatry

The UIC (University of Illinois, Chicago) Mental Health Services Research Program (MHSRP) involves people with psychiatric disabilities, their families and friends, advocates, service providers, and other parties in its comprehensive research program. All stakeholders become a team that helps design, implement, and evaluate projects, promoting both recovery and full community participation for those with mental health disorders.