Join Legislative Town Hall on Mental Health Issues April 5

Six area chapters of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, including NAMI Barrington Area, NAMI Kane County North (Elgin area), NAMI Lake County, NAMI McHenry County, NAMI Northwest Suburban and NAMI Schaumburg Area are hosting a legislative town hall on mental health issues at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 5, at the Barrington Area Public Library, 505 N. Northwest Hwy. in Barrington.

Area state legislators who will be on the panel include state Senators Pam Althoff (R-McHenry) and Dan McConchie (R-Lake Zurich). Also on the panel will be state Representatives Steve Andersson, (R-Geneva), Deb Conroy (D-Villa Park), Michelle Mussman (D-Schaumburg), and Nick Sauer (R-Libertyville). Andersson and Mussman serve on the House Mental Health Committee which is chaired by Rep. Conroy.

Did you know in our community that more than 30 percent of 18- to 44-year-olds delay treatment due to either costs or availability, almost 55 percent of ER visits are due to mental health, and 29 percent of youth under age 18 suffer from anxiety disorder.

The event will be an open discussion of issues and concerns about mental health services in Illinois, including Medicaid funding, availability of services, housing, the criminal justice system and more. The legislative panel will give updates on mental health legislation pending in Springfield and respond to questions and comments from the audience.

The town hall meeting is open to all NAMI members, to mental health professionals and to members of the general public who are interested in mental health issues.

For additional information or registration, go to namiba.org or call (847) 496-1415.