The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) Commissioner Dr. Julie Morita announced a $1.4 million investment in the 2019 budget to strengthen bridges between residents and critical mental health services within their communities. The investments will better connect residents to mental health service providers, expand the city’s capacity for emergency psychiatric care and support coordinated mental health community responses following traumatic events. This budget proposal builds on mental health improvements and is aimed at filling remaining gaps in Chicago’s larger mental health infrastructure. Today, more than 6,000 residents receive mental health services from CDPH and the department’s four health center partners – roughly 1,000 more residents served than in 2011. These investments build on the gains made over the past six years and expand the capacity of community-based services throughout the city. City Council is expected to vote on the new proposals as part of the Mayor’s 2019 budget package in November.