May is Mental Health Month 2026

May is Mental Health Month

MORE GOOD DAYS together

• Mental Wellness

• Working Together is Better

• Mental Health, Substance Use Disorders & Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities

• MCHELP App & 988 Crisis Lifeline YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

Together in Mental Wellness and Empowerment

By Bridget Geenen, Executive Director

for the Mental Health Board to increase its outreach and agency support as our population and needs expand.

via voice, text and chat. Expanded information on each of these assets are on page 12 of this insert.

Change is the one constant in our lives and with your Mental Health Board, changes have been improving our ability to serve our community through collaboration.

Having served the McHenry County Mental Health Board in various positions over 4 years, I am proud to have been selected as your new executive director. I have worked with government and local leaders for many years and look forward to continuing the work of this vital organization.

In recent years, our funding has been changed from a property tax levy to a sales tax levy. This has resulted in the opportunity

The funds received are distributed through a comprehensive vetting process to agencies that deliver mental health resources to individuals and families in McHenry County. A directory of resources can be found on Page 11 of this insert, or visit our website at https://mc708.org.

Beyond the organizations and agencies, you have access to two unique and free resources: McHelp App and 988 Crisis Lifeline. McHelp App is funded by MCMHB to provide 24/7 support via text or voice for everyday issues of anxiety, depression, personal conflicts, family issues and more. McHelp App includes our comprehensive directory of resources to obtain specific services such as therapy, substance use disorder support and IDD agencies. 988 Crisis Lifeline is a nationwide connection to trained professionals in crisis intervention 24/7

Empower yourself with information

MENTAL HEALTH TOWN HALL

Thursday, May 7, 5-7 p.m. | 620 Dakota Street, Crystal Lake, IL

Your McHenry County Mental Health Board is here for you! Our team includes a board of directors working to guide our efforts to embrace the mental wellness and empowerment of McHenry County. Remember, you are not alone!

Mental Health Board:

Carolyn Schofield, President

Adam Carson, Vice President

Amy Rath, Secretary

Linda Hoch, Treasurer

Christina Bruhn, Board Member

DeAnna Kell, Board Member

Thomas Langhenry, Board Member

John Reinert, County Board Liaison

Fr. James Swarthout, Board Member

Share your insights, ideas and opinions in person during the Town Hall. Translation services are available with 48 hours of notice. Register to learn more on the website: www.MC708.org.

Need a ride? The McHenry County DOT has you covered:

• Fixed Routes: Connecting Harvard, Crystal Lake, McHenry, Woodstock and Elgin.

• MCRide: County-wide, curb-to-curb paratransit.

• Connect Program: $15 vouchers for Uber/UZURV trips within the county. Staff will be on-site at the Town Hall to help you register for the Connect Program!

More Good Days, Together

By Gary Rukin

As John Donne famously wrote, no man is an island. “

Gary Rukin, LPC

A quote usually attributed to John Lennon recalls a childhood lesson: “When I was five years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down ‘happy.’ They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life.”

For many of us, happiness remains the ultimate goal. Yet there is a persistent paradox in the pursuit of joy. The more we chase happiness, the further away it seems to drift. This suggests that our collective definition of what it means to live well might need a slight revision.

For a child, happiness is often breathtaking and fleeting. It is the exhilarating peak of a roller coaster or the cold sweetness of an

ice cream cone. As adults, we frequently trade those simple sensory joys for material milestones. We imagine that a new car, a promotion or a winning lottery ticket will put us in a state of permanent bliss. However, research consistently shows that short term pleasure was never meant to last. We eventually return to a “set point,” where the thrill of that new purchase fades into the background of daily life.

True contentment requires a more durable foundation. It begins with the alignment of our daily actions with our core values. We often search for happiness as if it were a lost token we might discover on a street corner. In reality, it comes from purpose. When we use our values to navigate tough decisions, we ensure that we act in accordance with the people we desire to be. This creates a sense of purpose and self-worth that external gains cannot provide.

Furthermore, the cultivation of gratitude and service shifts our focus from what we lack to what we can offer. While searching for a personal happy kick can often lead to self-

“

indulgence, looking outward provides a more sustainable glow. By acknowledging the good already present and contributing to the well-being of others, we find a sense of belonging that transcends our individual concerns.

Ultimately, the most vital component of a resilient life is the quality of our social life. Donne famously wrote, “No man is an island.” This is not only a poetic sentiment but a biological reality. We humans are neurobiologically wired for connection. In women, especially, the release of oxytocin during social bonding acts as a natural buffer against stress and promotes emotional regulation.

Whether it is a deep conversation with a lifelong friend, the shared mission of a dedicated team, or the simple nod of a neighbor, these interactions are the sensory anchors of our existence. We do not find happiness in isolation. We find it in the quiet, consistent strength of the people beside us. The true key to a meaningful life is not the absence of struggle, but the presence of others to share the journey, together.

Building Community with our BUILDING

Your Mental Health Board is housed in a community-friendly building at 620 Dakota Street, Crystal Lake, Illinois 60012. This high-quality building and property allow our funded agencies, network partners, nonprofits and community groups a place for conferences, meetings, support groups and networking based upon availability and need. Without the access to our meeting space, many community resources would be limited in their ability to host events that provide vital services to our residents due to the expense of renting commercial spaces or area banquet facilities.

MCMHB funds and coordinates mental health, substance use and developmental

NETWORK COUNCIL

disability services across the county through diverse agencies, organizations, networks and programs.

Training for Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Suicide Prevention, Mental Health First Aid, Workforce Development and other training programs hosted by MCMHB are held at our building in the first-floor conference space. The conference spaces in the building include WiFi, whiteboards, projectors, screens, flexible tables with seating arrangements and on-site parking for the convenience of attendees and presenters.

The Mental Health Board building is utilized for a wide variety of trainings by nonprofits, county departments, board

The McHenry County Mental Health Board requires funded partners to participate in the Network Council and Quality Management Team. With knowledge acquired from partnering with local community consumers and service providers, the Mental Health Board is better situated to utilize resources to target McHenry County’s mental illness, developmental disabilities, and substance use prevention, treatment and recovery support service needs.

The Network Council is a support to the McHenry County Mental Health Board. It is structured to foster a collaboration of service

development, CEU’s, community-based trainings, support groups, resource fairs, town halls, first aid, CPI and Emergency Management.

The building lobby displays flyers and resource information to be distributed to community members.

Rosecrance Behavioral Health is housed in this building, delivering comprehensive substance use disorder resources for individuals and families close to home.

For more information about the Mental Health Board building for use and programs, visit www.MC708.org.

providers, the Mental Health Board and consumers to address McHenry County System access, delivery and quality issues; identify system needs; and develop plans to address these issues. To accomplish this, the members will seek to exchange information and resources and through an agenda of goals and activities, measure progress and strategies through a strong committee structure. The members commit to a learning community to promote awareness and quality improvement, engaging the larger community to impact the outcomes of wellness and recovery.

I am acquainted with grief. My 26-yearold son was killed in an accident, and in the aftermath, I came face to face with a hard truth: we are not good at grief in our culture. While the world shouts, “Just be okay!” Grief Guide, a nonprofit organization in McHenry County, exists to change that narrative — offering permission for pain, for grief and a safe place to process it all.

Grief is a deeply human, natural response to loss — but when pushed to remain hushed and hidden, it can also become a place where people quietly struggle to cope. Increasingly, research reveals a clear connection between bereavement, high risk behavior and its impact on mental health.

GRIEF GUIDE Grief and Mental Health

By Lisa Orris, Founder of Grief Guide

One study indicated that men who had been bereaved for two years were more than twice as likely to develop an alcohol use disorder compared to men who were not grieving. The risk becomes even more significant for those experiencing complicated grief — a form of prolonged and intense grief that affects approximately 10–20% of bereaved individuals. Unlike typical grief, which gradually shifts over time, complicated grief remains persistent and consuming. For many, alcohol or substances can become a way to numb or manage the ongoing pain.

Moreover, research suggests that individuals with both major depressive disorder and complicated grief have significantly higher rates of alcohol dependence than those experiencing depression alone. This indicates that grief, particularly when it becomes prolonged or unresolved, adds a unique layer of vulnerability. The relentless ache of grief can greatly impact mental health, pushing people to reach for relief in destructive ways — not out of weakness, but because their brain is seeking to soothe the pain.

At Grief Guide, we believe grief isn’t a problem to be fixed — but without support, it can take people to places they never meant to go. When we begin to understand grief more fully, we can respond with compassion instead of judgment, with presence instead of pressure. We can create spaces where people feel seen not silenced, so they don’t have to carry their pain alone or reach for harmful ways to cope. Never Apologize for Your Tears is the mantra of our movement. Your tears are sacred no matter what anyone tells you.

MENTAL WELLNESS Empower Yourself for More Good Days

To create more good days together, it is important to pay attention to what we can influence and the steps we can take to make a difference in the moments of everyday life.

As important as our physical health, our mental health is vital to overall well-being and our ability to function at every stage and age of life. Our thoughts, feelings and actions are impacted by our mental health, which affects our ability to manage stress, relate to others and make decisions.

Sleep, stress, movement, nutrition and existing health conditions all play a role in how we feel, both mentally and physically. Although many factors that affect our health are beyond our control, noticing what we can influence is important for our well-being. Whether it’s finding ways to move that you enjoy, connecting with your community or remembering to drink water, small successes make for a good day.

Some mental health conditions are based on our genes, family history or brain chemistry. Other issues may arise from negative experiences, such as trauma and lead to challenges in cognition, emotions and behaviors.

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States today. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), anxiety affects more than 40 million adults 18 and older, or about 20% of the population annually. That means one in five individuals are experiencing anxiety. In McHenry County, data indicates that the percentage of individuals with anxiety is 25%, or one in four persons.

Have you experienced excessive worry, fear or nervousness that may have evolved into panic attacks, phobias, social anxiety or generalized anxiety disorder? Symptoms may include restlessness, difficulty concentrating, physical tension and sleep disturbances.

To determine if your symptoms of anxiety are concerning, and what action to take, utilize the

screening provided by Mental Health America on their website: https://screening.mhanational.org.

Screening tools for anxiety, depression, substance use disorders and more are available at Mental Health America, along with comprehensive information on mental wellness and actions to empower individuals seeking improved mental wellness.

There is help to address the condition or mental health concern you may have or that of a loved one.

McHenry County Mental Health Board (MCMHB) funds a vast spectrum of resources for mental health, substance use disorders and intellectual/ developmental disabilities. Primarily, MCMHB supports specific agency programs and positions that may not exist in our community otherwise.

Residents who cannot afford to pay for services they require may benefit from accessing funded programs. Financial hardship, under-employment, relationship issues, homelessness or lack of access to health care can have significant impact on mental health. Stress, anxiety, depression and feelings of hopelessness can develop due to the struggle to meet basic needs. For many, this is

situational and can be resolved over time.

Our theme of More Good Days Together seeks to provide resources and support for all community members at every point of their mental wellness journey.

Not seeking help can leave individuals and families in dire situations. The Centers for Disease Control reports that more people in the U.S. are dying from suicide, drug and alcohol poisoning and alcoholic liver disease than any other time in recorded history. These are categorized as “deaths of despair.”

MCMHB funds the MCHELP App to provide 24/7 access via voice or text to confidentially obtain guidance, support and information when experiencing anxiety, depression, stress and sadness. The 988 Crisis Lifeline is a national program with trained crisis support 24/7 for chat, text or voice connection. At any time, these tools are free, confidential and available to everyone.

McHenry County is fortunate to have a mental health board that is committed to providing crucial funding and access to comprehensive education, prevention, treatment, recovery and support services at the local level.

Mental Health Service Providers

MCMHB funds agencies to provide mental health services to individuals and families allowing them to get the help they need, close to home.

Association for Individual Development (AID) serves adolescents and adults with psychiatric health and behavioral health services.

Ascension Crystal Lake provides child and adolescent counseling and a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) as well as Intensive Outpatient Psychiatric (IOP) services.

Horizons Behavioral Health supports the needs of adolescents, runaways and homeless youth.

Independence Health and Therapy offers respite care for families with seniors for day care, memory care and rehab therapy.

Pioneer Center for Behavioral Health is a comprehensive program for mental health services for those with developmental disabilities, autism, and PADS for homeless.

Rosecrance Behavioral Health offers psychiatric, mental health and substance abuse services for children, adolescents and adults through IOP and PHP.

Thresholds is a community support mental health program for adults and transitional youth.

Veterans Path to Hope is a peer-to-peer counseling, transitional support, housing assistance, employment and food resource for veterans and their families.

Family Health Partnership Clinic and Greater Family Health are funded in part by MCMHB to provide low-cost to no-cost medical needs, psychiatry and behavioral health care elements.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) McHenry County is a peer support and advocacy organization for individuals and families who are experiencing substance abuse and other mental health concerns. Their new facility hosts the Living Room for mental health crisis and the Drop-In Center for connecting with others to address isolation.

Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Northern Illinois (CCCSNI) counsels on fostering financial literacy, finding affordable housing and eliminating student loan issues.

Youth Services & Resources

Resources & Support for Substance Use Disorder and Addiction

Individuals and families challenged by substance use disorders may obtain the help they need close to home from MCMHB funded agencies, nonprofits and peer group programs.

McHenry County is home to several unique and evidence-based supports to meet those in need where they are at with positive programs for all stages.

Are you concerned about substance use and addiction? A comprehensive screening is available on the Mental Health America website https://screening.mhanational.org.

Substance Use Disorders and Addiction impact 6% of the U.S. population. Nearly 20 million people over the age of 12 are experiencing substance use disorder. There are many people who struggle with both a mental health disability and substance use disorder.

In McHenry County, the statistics translate to more than 18,000 individuals with substance use disorders and about 6,000 individuals with both mental health and substance use disorders.

Residents and their families in McHenry County experiencing substance use disorders have access to treatment in part from qualified programs funded by MCMHB. Live4Lali has an extensive network focused on prevention through education with peer support, meetings, advocacy, harm reduction education and training. Free Naloxone training and distribution are also available.

An additional resource for Naloxone is McHenry County Department of Health. Their

website has an interactive access point map for Naloxone in the county.

Looking to take the next step to exit addiction? A Way Out, at 815-347-0383 is available 24/7 for those needing assistance to get treatment. Navigators can take calls through 11 p.m. and will return messages the next day for overnight callers.

New Directions Addiction Recovery Services offers sober living case management and alcohol and drug treatment services. Rosecrance Behavioral Health provides counseling for youth and adults with options for residential treatment. Northern Illinois Recovery Center is an excellent source for detox and residential care.

Unique to the area is The Other Side sober bar that hosts numerous Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. It is a safe place for gathering and learning about substance use disorder and addiction resources. Their menu features coffee, tea and mocktails as well as quick snacks and treats. Open to the community, The Other Side is a great place to meet and for arranging group meetings that serve the community.

Another distinctive program in McHenry County is the 22nd Judicial Circuit Specialty Courts, which seek to address the impact of mental health, substance use and addiction on individuals. The court system offers mental health evaluations that consider potential for the individual to take steps to treat and recover.

Annual Community Connections Summit

Join us for a day of connection where we celebrate our differences, find common ground, and gain inspiring tools from community leaders to move forward with purpose. This year’s Conference will be Friday, September 11, 2026. Visit our website for more information and registration.

Advocacy and Support for Individuals with Intellectual / Developmental Disabilities

Opportunities for identifying, addressing and advocacy for individuals and families with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities are available in McHenry County.

The neurodevelopmental condition of a person who has significant difficulties with learning, problem-solving, memory and adaptive skills is described as Intellectual Disability.

Developmental disability is a broad term that includes a range of conditions, including intellectual, physical and neurological impairments, plus sensory issues such as vision and hearing loss.

McHenry County has more than 500 individuals that are waiting for services to be approved by Illinois Department of Human Services and its Division of Developmental Disabilities. These two agencies approve services and supports for individuals with IDD such as autism, cerebral palsy, down syndrome, spinal bifida and birth defects. However, these state services are highly regulated, and families often end up waiting for care.

MCMHB has determined that since significant needs remain unmet, funds are distributed to support local providers and advocate for improvements in the state system.

Empowering Families with IDD Programs

To help families waiting for state assistance, MCMHB partners with and helps fund several local programs and agencies.

Options and Advocacy (O&A) is a resource for families having difficulty accessing services or who are on the waitlist with IDHS/IDD. O&A Autism Resources Center assists in evaluations and provides a bilingual (Spanish) navigator.

Clearbrook West and Pioneer Center for Human Services each offer MCMHB-funded programs for residential and group home support, day programs, employment services, case management, family respite services and coordination of care.

Pioneer Center is empowering individuals with disabilities through their Workforce Development Program, assisting these individuals with career training, placement and counseling to maximize their independence. This program is MCMHB funded.

Ascension Crystal Lake, through MCMHB funding, is delivering services to individuals with autism.

Northern Illinois Special Recreation Association (NISRA) is also funded in part by MCMHB and provides year-round special recreation programs so that people with disabilities may participate actively

in their community in the least restrictive setting. MCMHB supports access to their day treatment, respite services and Leisure Education Adventure Program.

Annual Caregivers Conference

Each year, MCMHB, in partnership with O&A and others, hosts the Caregivers Conference with a full day of speakers, information, exhibitors and resources for family and professional caregivers.

The next conference will be March 6, 2027.

Mental Health Resource Guide 2026

Obtain access to the organizations listed via phone, web, or the MCHELP app.

22nd Judicial Circuit Specialty Courts

Mental Health, Drug, and DUI Courts

815-334-4502

www.22ndCircuitIL.gov/office-of-special-projects

Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Youth Outpatient Hospitalization Programs

855-383-2224 www.healthcare.ascension.org

Association for Individual Development (AID) Psychiatric and Behavioral Health Services 847-931-2340 www.aidcares.org

Child Advocacy Center of McHenry County, Inc. Secondary Trauma Services 815-334-9597

www.mchenrycac.org

Clearbrook CHOICE Program and Respite Services 815-893-0828 www.clearbrook.org

Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Northern Illinois, Inc. Financial Counseling 815-338-5757

www.illinoiscccs.org

Crystal Lake Teen Center, NFP (The BREAK) Teen Prevention/After School Programming 779-220-4080 www.CLBreak.com

Family Health Partnership Clinic Service Navigation, Mental Health and Mental Health Services 779-220-9300 www.hpclinic.org

Greater Family Health Mental Health, Medical and Treatment Services 844-599-3700 www.greaterfamilyhealth.org

Grief Guide

Grief Support Groups and Education

708-297-8993 www.mygriefguide.org

Home of the Sparrow Support for Unhoused 815-271-5444

www.HOSparrow.org

Horizons Behavioral Health Professional Services, LLC

Psychiatric Services

815-455-7100

www. horizonsbh.com

Independence Health and Therapy

Psychiatric, Brain Injury, Mental Health Services and Adult Rehab

815-338-3590

www.independencehealth.org

Live4Lali, Inc.

McHenry County Harm Reduction, Narcan and Recovery

844-584-5254 www.Live4lali.org

McHenry County Sheriff’s Office

Police Social Work Program

815-338-2144

www.mchenrysheriff.org/police-social-worker/

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

McHenry County Recovery Support Services

815-526-8243 www.namimch.org

New Directions Addiction Recovery Services

Sober Living Case Management and Alcohol/Drug Treatment Services

779-220-0336 www.ndars.org

Northwestern Medicine

ER and Inpatient Adult and IOP Programs and Mental Health Services

815-338-2500 www.nm.org/locations/woodstock-hospital

Northern Illinois Recovery Center

Detox and Treatment Program

855-458-1739 www.northernillinoisrecovery.com

Northern Illinois Special Recreation Association (NISRA)

Community Integration Services for those with IDD 815-459-0737 www.nisra.org

Northwest Center Against Sexual Assault

Sexual Assault Intervention Program

815-671-4004 www.nwcasa.org

Options & Advocacy

Autism Resource Center and IDD Advocacy

815-477-4720

www.optionsandadvocacy.org

Pioneer Center for Human Services Day Programs, Autism, PADS Services and Youth Mental Health Services 815-344-1230 www.pioneercenter.org

Rockin’ The Spectrum Autism Services 224-538-9736 www.rockinthespectrum.com

Rosecrance, Inc. Psychiatric, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services 815-391-1000 www.rosecrance.org

Thresholds Community Support Mental Health Services 815-338-8324 www.thresholds.org

Turning Point, Inc. Domestic Violence Services

815-338-8081 www.turnpt.org

Veterans Path to Hope Veteran Peer-to-Peer Support 815-321-4673 www.VPHope.org

Warp Corps

Teen Prevention and Homeless Outreach 815-985-6256 www.warpcorps.org

Youth and Family Center of McHenry County Youth Prevention and Family Support Services 815-322-2357 www.yfc-mc.org

Download the MCHELP App for information and referral. On the web, visit www.MC708.org.

QUICK CONNECT 2026 MORE GOOD DAYS together

What does that look like?

• Meeting each person where they are

• Evaluating symptoms and issues

• Getting help as needed

• Helping each other

Mental Health America offers an array of Screening Tools. Take time to identify your mental health and wellness conditions and needs…https://screening.mhanational.org.

Screening for anxiety, depression, substance use disorder, ADHD, BiPolar, Eating Disorders, PTSD, Psychosis and more are available at no charge on the website.

United Way of McHenry County offers 2-1-1 available 24/7 to make referrals to health and human service agencies –from mortgage, rent and utility assistance to food banks, child care, health services, job training, clothing, emergency shelter, counseling and much more.

MCHELP App is a quick click to reach immediate crisis support and information via text or voice 24/7. Anonymous access to trained counselors in times of anxiety, depression, stress or need. Use is free and confidential. The app can be downloaded for free from iTunes, Google or MC708.org.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. The National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7 free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org

The McHenry County Mental Health Board is able to assist with questions regarding mental health and substance abuse resources available in McHenry County. Visit our website MC708.org, or scan our QR code for a direct connect.