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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
RECOGNIZING MAY AS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH AND HONORING COMMUNITY-BASED MENTAL HEALTH INITIATIVES IN COOK COUNTY
WHEREAS, Mental Health Awareness Month is observed nationally each May to raise awareness, fight stigma, and promote access to mental health services and supports; and
WHEREAS, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 1 in 5 adults in the United States experience mental illness each year, and mental health challenges among youth have risen sharply in the past decade; and
WHEREAS, disparities in access to quality, culturally responsive mental health care remain a persistent challenge for Black, Brown, and underserved communities, particularly on the West and South Sides of Chicago; and
WHEREAS, Cook County is working to address these challenges through community-centered care, innovative partnerships, and investments in behavioral health, including support for the Cook County Health Mental Health Program, which offers a continuum of services from crisis stabilization to outpatient therapy and care coordination; and
WHEREAS, Shop Talk, an initiative led by Commissioner Tara Stamps, provides a culturally affirming space for Black men and women to engage in dialogue around mental health, trauma, and healing-meeting them where they are in barbershops, campuses, and community spaces; and
WHEREAS, Collaborative Bridges, a trauma-informed nonprofit organization, focuses on promoting mental wellness, youth resilience, and culturally sensitive counseling services through mentorship, education, and healing-centered engagement; and
WHEREAS, Habilitative Systems, Inc., under the leadership of CEO Donald Dew, provides critical support to individuals and families facing mental health challenges-delivering trauma-informed, community-centered care that helps to break the stigma and expand access to mental health services throughout Cook County; and
WHEREAS, Cook County continues to invest in mental and behavioral health through its ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) allocations, advancing equity-driven solutions to address the mental health crisis in historically underserved neighborhoods; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners recognizes May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month in Cook County and honors the leadership of Shop Talk, Cook County Health Mental Health Services, Collaborative Bridges, and Habilitative Systems, Inc.; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board affirms its continued commitment to expanding equitable mental health resources, breaking down stigma, and investing in community-rooted solutions that center healing, dignity, and justice.
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