Health & Benefits

A person who is struggling with mental illness may need mental health services. They can get help on their own. However, sometimes their mental illness may prevent them from making that choice. For additional resources, you can: 

• Reach out for mental health services at C4, or 
• See the Illinois Department of Human Services website. 

Legal options are available for the person's loved ones to make sure they get the help they need. These include:

• Admission to an inpatient mental health treatment facility
• Admission to an outpatient mental health treatment facility
• An alternative treatment in the community 
• Administration of psychotropic medication and electroconvulsive therapy 

If you or a loved one are experiencing a mental health crisis, you can call 988. This service is free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more available resources, visit the Illinois Department of Human Services Help is Here webpage. 

Insurance providers on the health insurance marketplace must cover treatment for disorders and conditions in:

• Mental health, 
• Emotional health, 
• Nervous health, or 
• Substance use. 

As of January 1, 2025, health insurance policies should include a free, yearly mental health prevention and wellness visit.

Wellness Checks in School

Schools can establish wellness checks for students in the 7th grade through 12th grade. This is a collaboration with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services.  These wellness checks will identify and help students who are at risk of mental health conditions. These include depression or other mental health issues.

The Illinois State Board of Education plans to do annual wellness checks for all students in public schools starting on or before April 1, 2025.

Finding a Mental Health Professional

• The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Chicago: If you are in Chicago, NAMI's Helpline is a free and confidential resource. It can connect you to mental health and social services resources. Call the Helpline at (833) 626-4244. They operate Monday-Friday from 9:00 am-8:00 pm, Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
• NAMI Illinois: To learn more about available NAMI resources in Illinois, visit NAMI Illinois.  
• National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 
  • (800) 273-8255 (English)
  • (800) 628-9454 (Spanish)
  • (800) 799-4889 (Deaf & Hard of Hearing) 
  • Text: Text HOME to 741741 (English)
  • Online: Fill out a pre-chat survey here to be connected with a counselor. 
• National Hope Helpline: (800) 784-2433 (English & Spanish) 

In the event of an emergency, call 911.