HR0711 - Mental Healthcare Emergency

• Declares a Mental Healthcare Emergency in Illinois, citing that 683,000 people need mental illness treatment but only 42.6% receive care, and 267,000 individuals aged 12+ have substance use disorders with only 11.7% receiving treatment.

• Illinois ranks 41st nationally for mental health service coverage for children with only 45% receiving necessary care, and has only one psychiatrist available per 1.5 million patients with wait times of 4-6 months.

• 85 of 102 Illinois counties are designated as Health Professional Shortage Areas for Mental Health Services, with Illinois ranking 30th in mental health workforce availability and rural positions taking up to 18 months to fill.

• Cook County Jail houses 2,500-2,800 mentally ill inmates daily, making it the largest mental health institution in the country, due to county jails overflowing from lack of community behavioral health services.

• Urges passage of comprehensive legislative package addressing the community mental health and substance disorder workforce and behavioral healthcare access crisis by the end of the 100th General Assembly.