By: Ashmar Mandou
The holidays are upon us, and while the season may be a joyous one for many, for others it’s a season of loneliness and isolation. If you are dealing with the “holiday blues,” there are several programs in Chicago that can help residents navigate through this time.
“We recognize that the holidays can take a mental toll on people and it’s a real thing. We want to normalize the conversation around the ‘holiday blues,’ and let people know that what they are experiencing is very real and it’s normal. You may not have enough energy, you may be isolating from your social group, you may not be reaching out to friends, those are all signs and symptoms and we want residents to know that we have several resources and experts to help make this time a little easier,” said Director of Behavioral Health Program Operations at the Chicago Department of Public Health Kathy Calderon. Shorter days, cold weather, and grief can also be contributors to the “holiday blues.”
Residents are encouraged to take advantage of the resources and programs provided by CDPH that are either free or available at no-cost, regardless of ability to pay, insurance, or immigration status. CDPH oversees a network of seven city-run mental health clinics, each clinic offers trauma-informed and integrative outpatient mental health services. “Our goal is to build a community where people feel safe and can have the best care…where we can remove barriers for people who struggle to access the proper care they need,” said Calderon. Services at the mental health clinics include outpatient therapy, psychiatric services through nurse practitioners, care management and case management support. CDPH also operates a program to help residents access psychiatric medications if they are uninsured.
To meet the patients where they are at, CDPH has expanded its resources to include a network of 37 partner providers across Cook County, including federally qualified health centers, community mental health centers, and faith-based organizations. “We also provide non-traditional approaches to healing in the form of art interventions, workshop, and music,” said Calderon. CDPH runs a program called Healing Arts Chicago, which offers free art services that support mental health and wellness through movement, yoga, sound and body meditation, music, painting, poetry, writing and storytelling classes. “We have partnered with talented artists who work alongside the patients to provide holistic ways to healing,” said Calderon. “We know this season can be difficult, we know discussions around mental health during the holiday season can be difficult, so we want to normalize the conversation and provide top care for our patients. If you are interested in learning more about the resources provided by CDPH, visit www.chicago.gov/behavioralhealth or www.chicago.gov/healingarts. A few of the CDPH Health clinics include:
Lawndale South Western Avenue Health Clinic
1105 S. Western Avenue
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 8:30a.m. to 4:30pm
Tuesday and Thursday: 8:30a.m. to 7:30p.m.
312-746-5905
*Spanish-speaking clinicians
North Park North Pulaski Health Clinic
5801 N. Pulaski Road
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 8:30a.m. to 4:30pm
Tuesday and Thursday: 8:30a.m. to 7:30p.m.
312-744-1906
*Spanish-speaking clinicians
*Psychosocial Rehabilitation Groups
Pilsen South Ashland Health Hub
1713 S. Ashland Avenue
Monday and Wednesday: 8:30a.m. to 7:30p.m.
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 8:30a.m. to 4:30p.m.
312-743-7500
*Spanish-speaking clinicians
For immediate help, Chicagoans can call or text 988 for the 24/7 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Chat and video options are also available at 988Lifeline.org. However, if you or someone is in immediate danger, please call 911. For the full list of CDPH mental health centers, visit www.chicago.gov/behavioralhealth.
Photo Credit: Chicago Department of Public Health
