Issue 8
June-July 2023
WELCOME
Hello, fellow Illinoisans! Greener grass, warmer suns, and longer days- summer is upon us! I hope you have been able to enjoy the long summer days while also experiencing increased wellness over the last few months.
The mental health and well-being of all Illinoisans, and the commitment to investing in early intervention and prevention coupled with evidence-based and innovative practices are foundational for experiencing wellness. We understand that wellness is more than the absence of illness, wellness includes supporting others to experience joy and thrive.
I deeply value your partnership to ensure Illinois continues to be considered among the best in the world when it comes to behavioral health.
Be well,
David T. Jones
Chief Behavioral Health Officer
BIPOC Mental Health Month
July is Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) Mental Health Month! Mental Health America has announced the release of its 2023 BIPOC Mental Health Toolkit (PDF) in commemoration of Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, also known as BIPOC Mental Health Month.
This year's theme is Culture, Community, & Connection. Our lives are deeply intertwined with the environments around us. Who and what we are surrounded by impacts our mental health and overall wellness. Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) populations face disproportionate amounts of trauma and displacement that have continuously challenged how these communities remain sustainable. Although there have been countless attempts to take away future successes and erase histories, BIPOC communities continue to thrive.
MHA's 2023 BIPOC Mental Health Toolkit provides free, practical resources, including information about how an individual's culture and community impact their mental health, tips for community advocacy, and ways to build connections with others. This toolkit contains factsheets, worksheets, resources, sample messages, sample images, posters, and more.
To access the toolkit, visit 2023 BIPOC Mental Health Toolkit (PDF).
Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) Mental Health Month or Mental Health America (mhanational.org)
Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) Update
Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, or CCBHCs, were introduced via federal legislation in 2014 and piloted by the Federal government in select States. CCBHCs provide comprehensive behavioral health services in one physical location. As described by The U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) "CCBHCs must provide services to anyone seeking help for a mental health or substance use condition, regardless of their place of residence, ability to pay, or age." CCBHC's provide coordinated, person-and family centered care to help individuals recover, be healthy, and live fully within their communities. CCBHC's must provide nine services directly or through formal partnerships.
To support Illinois' efforts to introduce CCBHC's into the State's behavioral health service continuum, Illinois recently applied for a SAMHSA CCBHC state planning grant. Unfortunately, Illinois was notified last month that we were not accepted into SAMSHA's CCBHC state planning grant. Despite this minor setback, Illinois is still eligible to apply for a SAMSHA demonstration grant slot, which will be made available in 2024.
HFS is working with DHS and the Chief Behavioral Health Officer to establish a clear pathway forward for Illinois to introduce CCBHCs into the Illinois Medical Assistance Program. The Departments continue to seek technical assistance and support by Medicaid consultants, Meyers and Stauffer, as it considers the most appropriate policy, financial, and administrative approaches to introducing this new model of behavioral health treatment.
Stay tuned for more updates on the implementation of CCBHCs.
Mental Health First Aide Activities
Prevention First has prioritized offering mental health awareness training throughout quarter four of FY23. Prevention First facilitated two virtual QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) trainings and four in person trainings with training locations in East St. Louis, Fairview Heights, and Springfield. They also offered one Youth Mental Health First Aid training in person in Chicago. Three of our in-person QPR trainings offered the option for participants to become trained in the administration of Narcan as well.
Prevention First continues to work on finalizing a landscape assessment to identify mental health training needs throughout the state of Illinois. They will contact stakeholders in early July to complete the landscape assessment.
As they continue collaborating with NAMI IL, their efforts to launch the Mental Health Resource Center (MHRC) are moving quickly. Prevention First looks forward to launching the MHRC webpage in quarter one of FY24, where you can find mental health and wellness education resources, and current training and webinars will be promoted.
The International Initiative for Mental Health Leadership (IIMHL) July Visit
As shared in our previous newsletter, members from the International Initiative for Mental Health Leadership (IIMHL) are visiting Illinois in July. During their visit, they will learn about the vast array of behavioral health services the State provides through our various agencies and partnerships.
In addition to learning about the great work taking place in Illinois, members of our provider network will be able to hear and learn from IIMHL President Steve Appleton. Steve will share how IIMHL brings together and connects mental health leaders to help spread innovation and best practices to improve mental health and addiction services around the globe.
Illinois Welcomes IIMHL Event, Chicago IL, July 25-26, 2023
