NAMI Illinois

What happens when community mental health systems are underfunded for decades?

Too often, individuals living with mental health conditions are left cycling through crises, hospitals, homelessness, and the justice system without meaningful long term support.

Recently, NAMI Illinois Director of Research and Policy, Tony Ohlhausen, spoke with the Illinois Answers Project and St. Louis Public Radio about the role of mental health courts in Illinois and why stronger investments in community based mental health services are critical.

Mental health courts can help many people, but lasting change requires addressing the larger gaps in our mental health system and ensuring people receive support before reaching a crisis point.

We encourage our communities and leaders to continue advocating for accessible, compassionate, and sustainable mental health care across Illinois.

Read more: https://www.stlpr.org/show/st-louis-on-the-air/2026-05-08/illinois-mental-health-courts-millions-are-left-out-half-graduate

A sincere thank you to Heritage Behavioral Health Center for supporting the 2026 NAMI Illinois Annual Statewide Conference.

Events like this one exist because of organizations willing to invest in mental health. Your sponsorship helps bring together people with lived experience, family members, advocates, and professionals from every corner of Illinois, united by a shared commitment to building communities where no one faces mental illness alone.

We are honored to have you as a partner in this work.

Interested in joining our 2026 sponsor community? Visit namiillinois.org/conferencesponsors to learn more.

Save the date for the 2026 NAMI Illinois Annual Statewide Conference!

Join us October 23–24 at Benedictine University in Lisle for two days of learning, connection, recognition, and community building.

This year's theme, Bridging Gaps by Reimagining Community Care, will bring together advocates, professionals, individuals with lived experience, family members, and community leaders from across Illinois.

Mark your calendars and stay tuned for registration details, speakers, and conference updates.

New Medicaid work reporting requirement rules could make it harder for millions of people living with mental illness to keep the health care they rely on. NAMI is deeply concerned that these new rules create barriers that could leave too many people without coverage.

“When a person is struggling or faced with a crisis, we want people to be able to get the health care they need, not focus on filling out paperwork.” — NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison, Jr.

Learn more about what this means and why NAMI is advocating to protect Medicaid at https://bit.ly/4uO7GYt

Sponsorship opportunities for the 2026 NAMI Illinois Statewide Conference are now available!

Join us on October 23 and 24 at Benedictine University as we bring together advocates, professionals, educators, providers, and community leaders from across Illinois to advance mental health education, support, and advocacy.

By becoming a sponsor, your organization will gain meaningful visibility through conference marketing, exhibitor opportunities, on site recognition, and direct engagement with attendees who are passionate about mental health and community impact.

Sponsorship support also helps NAMI Illinois continue expanding critical areas of focus including youth mental health, rural mental health, Spanish language mental health, and more.

Explore sponsorship opportunities here: https://namiillinois.org/get-involved/2026conference/conferencesponsors/

Secure your sponsorship today: https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/KWCIwHdTh5pHbYwLcMtDpQ?

We are extremely grateful for RyTech and their support of the 2026 NAMI Illinois Annual Statewide Conference.

Community shows up in many forms. For RyTech, it looks like investing in a statewide gathering that connects advocates, individuals with lived experience, family members, mental health professionals, and community leaders from across Illinois. Thank you for standing with NAMI Illinois.

Curious about how your organization can make an impact while gaining statewide visibility? Visit namiillinois.org/conferencesponsors

Thank you to Root Port IT Solutions for being the first sponsor for our 2026 NAMI Illinois Annual Statewide Conference!

Support from organizations like Root Port IT Solutions makes this event possible: bringing together advocates, mental health professionals, individuals with lived experience, family members, and community leaders from across Illinois to connect, learn, and strengthen our collective work.

We are grateful for your partnership and your investment in mental health across our state.

Want to support NAMI Illinois while amplifying your organization's reach? Learn about conference sponsorship opportunities at namiillinois.org/conferencesponsors.

This month's Affiliate Spotlight shines on NAMI Lake County Illinois.

Serving residents throughout Lake County, NAMI Lake County provides free mental health education, support, and advocacy programs that help individuals and families navigate their mental health journeys while building stronger, more connected communities.

Through peer-led support groups, educational programs, and community outreach efforts, NAMI Lake County continues to be a trusted resource for those seeking hope, understanding, and support.

We're proud to highlight NAMI Illinois Board Members Gia Washington and Jennifer Wojcikowski of Sertoma Star Services for their recent conversation on mental health, su***de prevention, and first responder family wellness.

🎧 Watch the podcast: https://youtu.be/8sXyQzjtb6s?si=wL5B3l74TbYMBSjR

Learn more about the June 12 Responding First to Each Other event: https://sertomastar.org/wellness-event/

Thank you, Gia and Jennifer, for your leadership and advocacy.

Happy Pride Month from NAMI Illinois! 🌈

Today and every day, we celebrate the strength, resilience, and contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals and communities across Illinois and beyond.

Pride is a time to honor authenticity, amplify voices, and continue working toward a future where everyone can access affirming mental health care, supportive communities, and the opportunity to thrive.

Together, we can help create a world where every person feels seen, valued, and supported.