CHICAGO COALITION TO SAVE OUR MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS

THE EXPANDED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES PROGRAM:THE EXPANDED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES PROGRAM (EMHSP) IS A COMMUNITY-CENTERED MODEL OF MENTAL HEALTHCARE DEVELOPED BY THE COALITION. EMHSP GIVES RESIDENTS THE AUTHORITY TO FUND AND OVERSEE LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. EMHSP REQUIRES COMMUNITIES TO PLACE A REFERENDUM ON THE BALLOT ASKING RESIDENTS IF THEY WILL RAISE THEIR PROPERTY TAXES TO RESTORE LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.THE COALITION ORGANIZES COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO GATHER SIGNATURES TO PUT THE REFERENDUM ON THE BALLOT, CONDUCT VOTER EDUCATION, AND DEVELOP THE PROGRAM AFTER THE VOTE. THIS RESULTS IN NEW MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS THAT ARE INITIATED, FUNDED, AND APPROVED BY THE COMMUNITY, A UNIQUE WAY TO CREATE SUSTAINABLE SERVICES THAT ARE RESPONSIVE TO LOCAL NEEDS. THE NORTH CONSUMER COUNCIL:THE COALITION EMPOWERS MENTAL HEALTH CONSUMERS TO FIGHT FOR THEIR OWN MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF A CONSUMER-LED GROUP: THE NORTH RIVER CONSUMER COUNCIL. THE COUNCIL IS LED BY MENTAL HEALTH CONSUMERS WHO WORK TO ADVOCATE FOR BETTER CARE AND INCREASED SERVICES FOR CLIENTS AT THE CITY OF CHICAGO'S EXISTING MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS. OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS, THE NORTH RIVER CONSUMER COUNCIL HAS WORKED TO ENSURE THAT THE CITY-RUN NORTH RIVER MENTAL HEALTH CENTER REMAINS OPEN AND FULLY-FUNDED. THIS CENTER IS ONE OF FIVE REMAINING CITY-RUN CENTERS AND THE ONLY CITY CLINIC NORTH OF ROOSEVELT ROAD. IN RECENT YEARS, THE CONSUMER COUNCIL HAS BEEN EFFECTIVE IN SECURING SPANISH-SPEAKING STAFF FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO DO NOT SPEAK ENGLISH AND REINSTATING FULL PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES FOR CLIENTS WHO WERE PREVIOUSLY UNABLE TO RECEIVE HELP.