How To Get Affordable State Sponsored Therapy in Illinois
Many people don’t realize that publicly-funded mental health services are available in their state. People looking for free or low-cost counseling often think their only options are counselors in private practice and don’t know that publicly-funded providers in their communities may also offer counseling services.
While state-based programs are not for everyone, they are often a great place to start for people who face geographic or financial barriers to therapy. Intake specialists at community mental health programs can help people learn whether they qualify for state-funded services and can refer people who don’t qualify to other low-cost programs that may be able to meet their needs.
On This Page
- When Should You Go to a State Mental Health Program?
- Who Is Eligible for Public Mental Health Services in Illinois?
- How Can You Find Out More About Local Programs in Illinois?
- Region One Clinics and Crisis Lines
- Region Two Clinics and Crisis Lines
- Region Three Clinics and Crisis Lines
- Region Four Clinics and Crisis Lines
- Region Five Clinics and Crisis Lines
- Federally Qualified Health Centers
- How Does Illinois' Public Mental Health System Work?
When Should You Go to a State Mental Health Program?
Community mental health programs are often the best option people who are in crisis and need help right away. The people who answer county and regional crisis lines can help determine the best response to a crisis, whether it’s inpatient treatment or an appointment with a counselor.
Community mental health programs ensure that people who lack the means to access services in the private sector can receive the mental health care they need. This means people who have limited income should consider inquiring first with public providers.
However, the mental health system can serve more people. When Illinois introduced behavioral health clinics (BHCs) and started allocating funds to programs for people with more moderate needs, its mental health system started to become more inclusive. Even people who don’t qualify for public funds can often still access affordable services from publicly-funded programs that offer sliding scale fees.
Mental Health America currently ranks Illinois 11 out of 51 states (Washington, DC, is included as a state) for quality of mental health care and 18 out of 51 states for access to mental health care. Even so, 55 percent of people in Illinois who have a mental health condition don’t get treatment, often because they don’t know accessible options are available nearby.
In many cases, county phone lines and online search tools are a great starting point for anyone looking for local mental health services in Illinois. If you’re living in Illinois and need mental health care, it’s worth taking the time to learn about options in your area—the help you need may only be a phone call or a click away.
Who Is Eligible for Public Mental Health Services in Illinois?
Because Illinois contracts with public and private agencies that have their own eligibility requirements, eligibility for publicly-funded mental health services varies from provider to provider.
If you seek mental health services at a publicly-funded program in Illinois but don’t qualify for funding assistance, you may still qualify to receive the services if you’re willing to pay out of pocket for them. Some programs offer fee assistance or sliding scales to people who don’t qualify for financial assistance from the state.
The Department of Mental Health reimburses people who meet financial and clinical eligibility criteria for medically necessary mental health care. To receive public funding for mental health services in Illinois, a person must belong to one of three eligibility groups:
- People who have a qualifying mental health diagnosis and are eligible for Medicaid
- People who are not eligible for Medicaid but have severe mental health conditions that affect their ability to function independently and that put them at risk of hospitalization
- People who are not eligible for Medicaid but who have a mental health condition and are in a crisis that requires an immediate response
Publicly-funded crisis lines and crisis intervention services throughout the state are available to anyone who is experiencing a mental health crisis. People with severe mental health conditions qualify for a range of other publicly-funded services including case management.
In many cases, agencies that receive public funds operate on an ethic of access to care and will work with people who have moderate mental health conditions but who don’t qualify for Medicaid by assessing them a sliding scale fee or accepting private insurance plans.
How Can You Find Out More About Local Programs in Illinois?
One way to find out whether you qualify for services at a publicly-funded mental health program in Illinois is to contact that program directly.
You can also call a local crisis line. People who answer crisis lines are usually happy to give you information about local treatment options even if you’re not in crisis. In the section below, you’ll find a comprehensive list of publicly-funded providers including those that offer crisis lines. You can also visit this page for an updated list of publicly-funded mental health crisis lines in Illinois.
Another way to learn more about services in your region is to contact your region’s Department of Mental Health (DMH) office:
- Region 1 North: (773) 794-5525
- Region 1 Central: (708) 338-7400 or (708) 338-7021 or (708) 338-7202
- Region 1 South: (708) 338-7289 or (708) 614-4002 or (312) 793-1636
- Region 2: (847) 742-1040
- Region 3: (309) 346-2094
- Region 4: (217) 786-6058 or (217) 786-6866
- Region 5 Metro East: (618) 474-3812 or (618) 474-3348
- Region 5 South: (618) 833-8266 or (618) 833-5161 x2321
If you’re not sure which region you’re in, you can check the following list to see which region your city or county is in:
- Region 1 (northern Illinois): Cook County
- Region 2 (northern Illinois): Boone, Carroll, DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Jo Daviess, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, Lee, McHenry, Ogle, Stephenson, Whiteside, Will, and Winnebago Counties
- Region 3 (central Illinois): Bureau, Champaign, Ford, Fulton, Henderson, Henry, Iroquois, Knox, LaSalle, Livingston, Peoria, Marshall, Mason, McDonough, McLean, Mercer, Putnam, Rock Island, Stark, Tazewell, Vermillion, Warren, and Woodford Counties
- Region 4 (central Illinois): Adams, Brown, Calhoun, Cass, Christian, Clark, Coles, Cumberland, DeWitt, Douglas, Edgar, Effingham, Greene, Hancock, Jersey, Logan, Macon, Macoupin, Menard, Montgomery, Morgan, Moultrie, Piatt, Pike, Sangamon, Schuyler, Scott, and Shelby Counties
- Region 5 Metro East (southern Illinois): Bond, Madison, Monroe, Randolph, St. Clair, and Washington Counties
- Region 5 South (southern Illinois): Alexander, Clay, Clinton, Crawford, Edwards, Fayette, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Lawrence, Marion, Massac, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Richland, Saline, Union, Wabash, Wayne, White, and Williamson Counties
Another option is to call the Illinois Warm Line at (866) 359-7953. The Warm Line is designed for people who are not in crisis but who need to talk to someone. The staff who answer the Warm Line help people find emotional support, learn more about recovery, and obtain referrals to community services. It’s available Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm.
Another way to find out about publicly-funded providers in your area is to use the Office Locator search tool on the Illinois Department of Human Services website. Select “Mental Health” as the Office Type and then select your local county to see a list of providers serving people who live there. A list of publicly-funded crisis and adult outpatient providers in Illinois is included below.
Region One Clinics and Crisis Lines
Region One programs serve Chicago, its suburbs, and all of Cook County.
- Ada S. McKinley Community Services, Inc.: (312) 554-0600 or (773) 918-6100
- Access Behavioral Health: (708) 825-1986
- Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center:
- (773) 296-3220 (scheduling)
- (773) 296-5380 (crisis line)
- Anixter Center: (773) 973-7900
- Asian Human Services of Chicago:
- (773) 293-8443 (intake)
- (773) 293-8488 (crisis line)
- Association House of Chicago: (773) 772-8009
- Behavioral Services Center: (847) 673-8577 (information and after-hours crisis line)
- Bobby E. Wright Comprehensive Behavioral Health Center: (773) 722-7900
- Carolina Therapeutic Services:
- (773) 360-1389 (main)
- (877) 651-2204 (crisis line)
- Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago: (312) 655-7725
- Chicago Department of Public Health Mental Health Clinics:
- (312) 747-7496 (Englewood Mental Health Clinic)
- (312) 747-0036 (Greater Grand/Mid-South Mental Health Clinic)
- (312) 747-1020 (Greater Lawn Mental Health Clinic)
- (312) 746-5904 (Lawndale Mental Health Clinic)
- (312) 744-1906 (North River Mental Health Clinic)
- (773) 291-2501 (Roseland Mental Health Clinic)
- Chicago Department of Public Health: Chicago Connects (mental health directory website only)
- Circle Family Healthcare Network: (773) 379-1000
- Community Counseling Centers of Chicago (C4): (773) 769-0205 (service and crisis line)
- Community Crisis Center: (847) 697-2380 (crisis line)
- Deborah’s Place (counseling for homeless women): (773) 722-5080
- DePaul Family and Community Services Clinic: (773) 325-7780
- Emages Inc.: (773) 224-7386
- Envision Unlimited: (773) 769-2139
- Family Behavioral Health Clinic:
- (847) 390-3004 (Des Plaines)
- (630) 483-4560 (Bartlett)
- Family Service and Mental Health of Cicero: (708) 656-6430
- Forward, PC: (773) 862-4675
- Habilitative Systems Inc.:
- (773) 261-2252 (main)
- (773) 745-2650 (Urban Behavioral Health Services Institute)
- (773) 745-2620 (Westside Community Triage and Wellness Center)
- (833) 413-4357 (Crisis Help Line)
- Healing Hands Resource Center: (773) 467-6967
- Healthcare Alternative Systems:
- (773) 252-3100 (North Chicago)
- (773) 254-5141 (South Chicago)
- (630) 344-0001 (Wheaton)
- Heartland Alliance (counseling services for people who are formerly homeless or at risk of homelessness): (312) 520-7267 or (773) 751-4125
- Holy Cross Hospital Behavioral Health Program: (773) 884-9000 or (773) 257-2500
- HRDI Community Triage Center: (773) 291-2500 or (773) 660-4630
- Impact Behavioral Health Partners: (847) 866-2977
- JCFS of Chicago Counseling Services: (855) 275-5237
- Karing Initiatives Children’s Mental Health Services: (708) 248-5009
- The Kedzie Center: (773) 754-0577
- Kenneth Young Center: (847) 524-8800 (information and crisis line)
- Leyden Family Service and Mental Health Center:
- (847) 451-0330 (main)
- (847) 451-1100 (crisis line)
- The Link and Option Center: (708) 331-8111
- Loretto Hospital Outpatient Mental Health Clinic: (773) 854-5290
- Lutheran Social Services of Illinois – Behavioral Health Services: (833) 610-5774
- Mercy Hospital Behavioral Health Services: (312) 567-2219
- Metropolitan Family Services: (312) 986-4000
- Midwest Asian Health Association Community Mental Health Clinic: (312) 285-2287
- Mount Sinai Hospital Adult Outpatient Clinic: (773) 257-5300
- National Youth Advocate Program: (877) 692-7226 (information and crisis line)
- New Age Services Mental Health Clinic: (773) 542-1150
- New Choice Intervention: (708) 566-1768 or (708) 247-3902 (crisis line)
- Oak Park Outpatient Behavioral Health Clinic: (708) 386-4035
- One Hope United Outpatient Counseling: (312) 949-5500
- Pillars Community Mental Health Center: (708) 745-5277 (main number and crisis line)
- Pilsen Wellness Center: (773) 579-0832
- Presence Community Mental Health Services:
- (708) 410-0615 (intake)
- (708) 681-4357 (crisis line)
- Presence Saints Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center: (312) 770-2317
- Rincon Family Services Behavioral Health Services: (773) 564-9070
- Sertoma Centre Inc.: (708) 748-1951 (Community Mental Health & Counseling)
- Sinai Psychiatry and Behavioral Health Clinic: (773) 257-6672
- South Central Community Services Outpatient Program (temporarily closed – call for updates): (773) 483-0900
- Stickney Township Behavioral Health Division:
- (708) 237-8918 (main)
- (708) 681-4357 (crisis line)
- Thresholds Community Support Services: (773) 572-5500
- Thrive Counseling Center: (708) 383-7500 (information and crisis line)
- Trilogy Behavioral Healthcare:
- (773) 508-6100 (main)
- (800) 322-8400 (crisis line)
- Trinity Behavioral Health Services: (815) 717-1700
Region Two Clinics and Crisis Lines
Region Two programs serve 17 counties in northern Illinois: Boone, Carroll, DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Jo Daviess, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, Lee, McHenry, Ogle, Stephenson, Whiteside, Will, and Winnebago.
- Bradley Counseling Center at Allendale Association: (847) 356-3322
- Amita Health Center for Mental Health: (847) 952-7460 (appointment and crisis line)
- Arden Shore Child and Family Services: (847) 623-1730
- Ardent Community Wellness Center: (888) 870-1775
- Association for Individual Development:
- (630) 966-4000 (main number)
- (630) 966-9393 (Crisis Line of Fox Valley)
- (630) 859-1291 (Aurora Behavioral Health Services)
- (847) 931-2340 (McHenry Community Mental Health Services)
- Aunt Martha’s Health and Wellness:
- (877) 692-8686 (information and appointments)
- (708) 679-8100 (Cook County crisis line)
- (815) 768-8750 (Grundy, Kendall, and Will County crisis line)
- (847) 608-4250 (Kane County crisis line)
- (815) 937-0100 (Kankakee County crisis line)
- (217) 446-1300 (Vermilion County crisis line)
- Breaking Free: (630) 897-1003
- Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Joliet: (815) 723-0331
- Centegra Health System:
- (815) 844-8060 (appointments)
- (800) 892-8900 (crisis line)
- Community Service Council:
- (815) 886-5000 (Bolingbrook office)
- (815) 886-5000 x1004 (Joliet office)
- (815) 722-3344 (Crisis Line of Will County)
- Cornerstone Services: (815) 727-6667
- DuPage County Behavioral Health Services:
- (630) 682-7400 (intake)
- (630) 627-1700 (crisis line)
- Ecker Center for Mental Health:
- (847) 695-0484 (information and intake)
- (847) 888-2211 (crisis line at Advocate Sherman Hospital)
- Family Alliance, Inc.:
- (815) 338-3590 (Woodstock)
- (224) 654-6300 (Huntley)
- Family Counseling Service of Aurora: (630) 844-2662
- Family Guidance Centers: (312) 943-6545 or (224) 659-7030
- Family Service Agency of DeKalb Center: (815) 758-8616
- Family Service Association of Greater Elgin: (847) 695-3680
- FHN Family Counseling Center:
- (815) 599-7300 (information)
- (815) 233-4357 (crisis line)
- Galena Clinic: (815) 777-1300
- Grand Prairie Services:
- (866) 477-8632 (information)
- (708) 331-0500 (crisis line)
- Greater DeKalb County Counseling and Psychiatry:
- (815) 748-8334 (Sycamore)
- (815) 756-4875 (DeKalb)
- (815) 786-3764 (Sandwich)
- (866) 242-0111 (24/7 hotline)
- Grundy County Department of Behavioral Health:
- (815) 941-3404 (information)
- (815) 942-6611 (crisis line)
- Kendall County Health Department Mental Health Services:
- (630) 553-9100 (information and crisis line)
- Helen Wheeler Center for Community Mental Health: (815) 939-3543
- Howard Counseling Services Inc.: (630) 679-1170
- Independence Center: (847) 360-1020
- Khalil Center:
- (630) 474-4414 or (855) 554-2545 (main)
- (855) 543-5752 (crisis line)
- Lake County Health Department Behavioral Health Services:
- (847) 377-8180 (main)
- (847) 377-8088 (crisis line)
- Mathers Clinic: (815) 444-9999
- Nicasa Behavioral Health Services: (847) 546-6450
- NorthShore University HealthSystem Mental Health Resource Center: (847) 570-2500
- Northwestern Memorial Hospital Outpatient Behavioral Health Clinic: (312) 695-5060
- One Hope United Outpatient Counseling:
- (217) 345-6554 (Charleston)
- (847) 245-6569 (Gurnee)
- (847) 245-6800 (Waukegan)
- (630) 513-6277 (St. Charles)
- Phoenix Family Center: (224) 535-9555
- Pioneer Center for Human Services:
- (815) 344-1230 (main)
- (800) 892-8900 (McHenry County Crisis Line)
- Presence Saint Mary’s Hospital Outpatient Services: (815) 937-8204
- Riverside Healthcare Behavioral Medicine: (844) 442-2551
- Rosecrance Mental Health Services: (888) 928-5278
- RTS Services Unlimited: (815) 290-0902
- Sinnissippi Centers:
- (815) 284-6611 (Dixon office)
- (815) 244-1376 (Mt. Carroll office)
- (815) 732-3157 (Oregon office)
- (815) 562-3801 (Rochelle office)
- (815) 625-0013 (Sterling office)
- (800) 242-7642 (crisis line)
- SOARR Therapy and Counseling (NorthPointe Resources): (847) 872-1700
- Stepping Stones Treatment Center: (815) 744-4555
- Suicide Prevention Services of America:
- (630) 482-9699 (main)
- 988 (helpline)
- The Tabor Therapy Group: (815) 331-8768
- Taking Control Counseling Services: (630) 801-1669 or (630) 801-1675 or (630) 801-0801
- Tri-Cities Family Services Counseling Services: (630) 232-1070
- Turning Point Mental Health Services: (847) 933-0051 (information and crisis line)
- Will County Behavioral Health Services: (815) 727-8521
Region Three Clinics and Crisis Lines
Region Three programs serve 23 counties in central Illinois: Bureau, Champaign, Ford, Fulton, Henderson, Henry, Iroquois, Knox, LaSalle, Livingston, Peoria, Marshall, Mason, McDonough, McLean, Mercer, Putnam, Rock Island, Stark, Tazewell, Vermillion, Warren, and Woodford.
- ABC Counseling and Family Services:
- (309) 451-9495 (Normal)
- (217) 877-9217 (Decatur)
- (309) 689-2990 (East Peoria)
- (217) 403-0790 (Savoy)
- (217) 528-9820 (Springfield)
- Bridgeway Inc.:
- (308) 344-2323 (main)
- (800) 322-7143 (crisis line)
- (309) 344-4200 (Galesburg office)
- (309) 852-4331 (Kewanee office)
- (309) 734-9461 (Monmouth office)
- (309) 834-4876 (Macomb office)
- The Counseling Program at Center for Youth and Family Solutions: (309) 323-6600
- Community Resource and Counseling Center: (217) 379-4302
- Crosspoint Human Services: (217) 442-3200 (information and crisis line)
- HopeSprings Counseling Services: (217) 531-2360
- Human Service Center of Peoria:
- (309) 671-8040 or (800) 475-0257 (assessment)
- (309) 671-8000 (outpatient clinic)
- (309) 671-8084 (Crisis Center)
- Institute for Human Resources of Livingston County: (815) 844-6109 (information and crisis line)
- Iroquois Mental Health Center: (815) 432-5241 (information and crisis line)
- The Josselyn Center: (847) 441-5600 (main number and after-hours crisis line)
- McLean County Center for Human Services: (309) 827-5351 (information and crisis line)
- North Central Behavioral Health Systems:
- (815) 224-1610 (LaSalle office)
- (815) 434-4727 (Ottawa office)
- (309) 647-1881 (Canton, Lacon, and Toulon offices)
- (309) 833-2191 (Macomb office)
- (815) 875-4458 (Princeton offices)
- (815) 510-9894 (Streator office)
- Open Doors Community Counseling at Gateway Services: (815) 875-4548
- Path Crisis Center: (888) 865-9903 or 211 (crisis line)
- Robert Young Center for Community Mental Health:
- (309) 779-2031 (main)
- (309) 779-2999 (crisis line)
- Rosecrance Mental Health Services:
- (888) 928-5278 (main)
- (217) 359-9049 (Central Illinois Crisis Line)
- Tazwood Mental Health Center:
- (309) 347-5522 (main)
- (309) 347-1148 (crisis line)
- Transitions Mental Health Services:
- (309) 283-1228 (main)
- (309) 793-4993 (after hours)
Region Four Clinics and Crisis Lines
Region Four programs serve 28 counties in central Illinois: Adams, Brown, Calhoun, Cass, Christian, Clark, Coles, Cumberland, DeWitt, Douglas, Edgar, Effingham, Greene, Hancock, Jersey, Logan, Macon, Macoupin, Menard, Montgomery, Morgan, Moultrie, Piatt, Pike, Sangamon, Schuyler, Scott, and Shelby.
- Care Horizon, Inc:
- (217) 849-3803 (information)
- (800) 345-9049 (crisis line)
- Cass County Mental Health Association: (217) 323-2980
- Christian County Mental Health Association:
- (217) 824-4905 (clinic)
- 988 (crisis line)
- Coles County Mental Health Center (LifeLinks):
- (217) 238-5700 (main)
- (866) 567-2400 (crisis line)
- Douglas County Mental Health Center:
- (217) 253-4731 (main)
- (217) 253-3511 (after-hours crisis line)
- Family Service Center of Sangamon County: (217) 528-8406
- Heartland Human Services:
- (217) 347-7179 (main)
- (217) 342-5504 (after-hours crisis line)
- Heritage Behavioral Health Center: (217) 362-6262 (information and crisis line)
- Human Resources Center of Edgar and Clark Counties:
- (217) 465-4118 (information)
- (217) 234-6405 or (866) 567-2400 (after-hours crisis lines)
- Locust Street Resource Center:
- (217) 854-3166 (main)
- (217) 854-3135 x1 (after-hours crisis line)
- Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois: (800) 363-5237
- Memorial Behavioral Health:
- (217) 525-1064 (Springfield)
- (217) 245-6126 (Jacksonville)
- (217) 735-2272 (Lincoln)
- Mental Health Centers of Western Illinois:
- (217) 773-3325 (Brown County office)
- (217) 773-3977 (Brown County after-hours crisis line)
- (217) 357-3176 (Hancock County office and after-hours crisis line)
- (217) 285-4436 (Pike County office)
- (217) 285-6111 (Pike County after-hours crisis line)
- Montgomery County Health Department:
- (217) 532-2001 (Hillsboro office)
- (217) 324-3430 (Litchfield office)
- (888) 324-5052 (crisis line)
- Moultrie County Beacon Inc.: (217) 728-7396
- Moultrie County Counseling Center:
- (217) 728-4358 (main)
- (217) 728-7611 (crisis line)
- Piatt County Mental Health Center:
- (217) 762-5371 (main)
- (217) 762-4357 (crisis line)
- Schuyler Counseling and Health Services: (217) 322-4373
- Shelby County Community Services: (217) 774-2113 (information and crisis line)
- Transitions of Western Illinois:
- (217) 223-0413 (main)
- (217) 222-1166 (crisis line)
- Webster-Cantrell Hall Outpatient Counseling: (217) 423-6961
Region Five Clinics and Crisis Lines
Region Five programs serve 33 counties in Southern Illinois: Alexander, Bond, Clay, Clinton, Crawford, Edwards, Fayette, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Lawrence, Madison, Marion, Massac, Monroe, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Randolph, Richland, Saline, St. Clair, Union, Wabash, Washington, Wayne, White, and Williamson.
- Adapt of Illinois: (877) 553-9440
- Alternatives Counseling Inc.: (618) 288-8085
- Behavioral Health Alternatives: (618) 251-4073
- Call for Help, Inc.: (618) 397-0968
- Centerstone of Illinois:
- (855) 608-3560 (information)
- (855) 985-0911 (crisis line)
- Chestnut Health Systems:
- (618) 877-4420 (appointments at Belleville or Granite City offices)
- (309) 827-6026 (appointments at Bloomington office)
- (618) 877-4420 (crisis line for Madison and St. Clair Counties)
- (309) 827-6026 (McLean County crisis line)
- Community Resource Center:
- (618) 533-1391 (Centralia office)
- (618) 548-2181 (Salem office)
- (618) 594-4581 (Carlyle office)
- (618) 283-4229 (Vandalia office)
- (618) 533-1391 (crisis line)
- Comprehensive Behavioral Health Center of St. Clair County: (618) 482-7330
- Comprehensive Connections of Jefferson County:
- (618) 242-1510 (information)
- (618) 242-1512 (crisis line)
- Egyptian Health Department:
- (618) 273-3326 (Eldorado office and daytime crisis line)
- (618) 382-7311 (Carmi office and daytime crisis line)
- (618) 252-8661 (after-hours crisis line with Saline County Dispatch)
- Family Counseling Center, Inc.: or (618) 658-2611 (information and crisis line)
- Hoyleton Youth and Family Services: (618) 688-4727
- Human Service Center of South Metro East:
- (618) 282-6233 (Red Bud)
- (618) 826-4547 (Chester)
- (618) 443-3045 (Sparta)
- Human Support Services: (618) 939-4444
- Jasper County Behavioral Health Department: (618) 783-4154
- Lawrence County Health Department Behavioral Health Clinic: (618) 943-3754
- Madison County Mental Health Board:
- (618) 465-4388 (crisis line for northern Madison County)
- (618) 877-0316 (crisis line for southern Madison County)
- Massac County Mental Health and Family Counseling Center: (618) 524-9368 (information and crisis line)
- Perry County Counseling Center: (618) 542-4357 (information and crisis line)
- Prairie Counseling Center at Bond County Health Department: (618) 664-1455 or (618) 397-0963
- Spero Counseling and Wellness Center: (618) 242-6944
- Union County Counseling Service: (618) 833-8551 (information and crisis line)
- Wabash County Behavioral Health Department: (618) 263-4970 (information and crisis line)
Federally Qualified Health Centers
Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) are another option for public mental health care in Illinois. These federally-funded programs provide high-quality coordinated medical and mental health care to people in underserved communities. Each FQHC accepts Medicaid and Medicare and offers sliding scale fees to people without insurance. You can search for FQHCs using the online search tool on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website.
How Does Illinois' Public Mental Health System Work?
In the 1960s, Americans started thinking differently about how to treat mental health conditions. New laws required state and local governments to establish community mental health programs as alternatives to institutionalization for people with serious mental illness.
Many states’ public mental health programs trace their origins back to this period. Illinois is no exception. After Congress passed the federal Community Mental Health Act in 1963, the Illinois legislature passed its own Community Mental Health Act in 1967. Like similar laws passed in other states, it established the foundation for a statewide network of community-based mental health services.
Illinois state law now splits community mental health programs into two different program types: community mental health centers (CMHCs) and behavioral health clinics (BHCs). Both CMHCs and BHCs receive state and federal funds to provide mental health safety net services, but BHCs provide a narrower range of services. While CMHCs focus on providing services to people with severe mental health conditions, BHCs focus on people with moderate mental health care needs. Both CMHCs and BHCs can provide outpatient services like therapy.
The purpose of the public mental health system in Illinois is to make sure that people can receive essential mental health services even when they do not have the ability to pay for them. State and county agencies fund a range of public and private programs that help people with mental health conditions live independently in the community. Publicly-funded programs provide a range of inpatient and outpatient mental health services including crisis intervention, case management, psychosocial rehabilitation, and therapy.
The Illinois public mental health system was significantly impacted by the national recession in 2008 and the long period of state budget and political conflicts that followed. From 2009 to 2012, Illinois cut over $113 million in funding from its public mental health programs, resulting in the closures of many CMHCs, mental health clinics, and specialty agencies and programs across the state.
At the height of this period, even many crisis lines and crisis response programs, which are some of the most essential services in any state’s mental health safety net, were permanently or temporarily closed. Pressure mounted on jails and hospital emergency departments to function as the mental health safety net. Cook County Jail has since become the biggest mental health service provider in the state.
These cuts have had a lasting impact on the delivery of public mental health services in Illinois. Many county mental health departments that used to directly provide essential services like case management and crisis intervention now contract these services to private agencies. Many large programs have closed. In counties that no longer have county crisis lines, residents call crisis lines operated by regional agencies instead.