The North Suburban YMCA encourages community members to care for themselves and others.
Mental health is how we think, feel, and act. At the Y, we recognize that we all have mental health, and mental health is an important part of our overall health and social-emotional well-being, as well as a core component of our identity.
The Y supports the mental health of individuals and communities in all the work we do to help people reach their full potential—whether that’s teaching life skills to youth in our afterschool programs or helping people achieve their best physical health. This type of non-clinical support is called “community care” and includes:
- Understanding mental health as something we all have—it is how we think, feel, and act.
- Applying positive self-care practices routinely.
- Engaging in conversations in a genuine way, with empathy, and the intent of building meaningful relationships.
- Understanding and applying trauma-informed guiding principles when interacting with others.
- Understanding the impact of social determinants of health, systemic racism, discrimination, and marginalization on mental health.
- Modeling emotion regulation, co-regulation, and effective coping skills.
- Recognizing signs that someone may be struggling.
- Connecting individuals to primary and specialty support when needed.
- Providing initial response in crises.
- Initiating dialogue and collaborating with others to embed mental health informal care support throughout the community.
All of the above are informed by practices found in social-emotional learning, trauma-informed care, and suicide prevention. Through this work, we can reduce the risk and impact of mental illness, provide early intervention, and support the process of healing and recovery.
Everyone can play a role in mental health community care, and the Y encourages you to identify simple ways you can care for yourself and others, such as:
- Use your powers of observation to notice when someone may be struggling with a hard day, moment, or situation.
- Intentionally asking “how are you?” and encouraging honest answers so others can share and feel heard.
- Bringing empathy, compassion, and kindness to your daily interactions.
Learn More about the Y's Mental Wellness Roundtable for local professional agencies, nonprofits, and community leaders.
Mental Health Resources Guide
Federal & National Resources
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) – https://www.samhsa.gov , Helpline: 1‑800‑662‑HELP (4357)
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) – https://www.nimh.nih.gov
- 60 Digital Resources for Mental Health – https://www.mentalhealth.gov/get-help/digital-resources
State & Local Resources (Illinois)
- Illinois Department of Human Services – https://www.dhs.state.il.us
- Josselyn Community Mental Health Center – https://www.josselyn.org
- Youth Services – https://www.youthservicesinc.org
- C.A.T.C.H. - Community Action Together for Children’s Health – https://catchforkids.org
- Ascension – Center for Mental Health Arlington Heights – https://healthcare.ascension.org/locations/illinois/ascension-arlington-heights-hospital/behavioral-health
- Rebecca’s Dream – Changing the Face of Depression – https://rebeccasdream.org
- Sleep Hygiene and Mental Health Resources – https://www.sleepfoundation.org/mental-health
- Accredited Substance Abuse Rehab Centers – https://www.samhsa.gov/find-treatment
Crisis & Immediate Support (24/7)
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – https://988lifeline.org , Call or text 988
- Lake County Crisis Care Program (CCP) – https://www.lakecountyil.gov/348/Behavioral-Health , Phone: (847) 377‑8088
- Crisis Text Line – https://www.crisistextline.org , Text HELLO to 741741
- Illinois Warm Line – https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=114512 , Phone: 1‑866‑359‑7953
- CARES Line – https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=30503 , Phone: 1‑800‑345‑9049
- Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline – https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=30363 , Phone: 877‑863‑6338
- SAMHSA National Helpline – https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline , Phone: 1‑800‑662‑HELP (4357)
- 911 – https://www.usa.gov/911
County & Regional Mental Health Services
- Lake County Health Department – Behavioral Health Services – https://www.lakecountyil.gov/348/Behavioral-Health
- Lake County Health Department – Libertyville Health Center – https://www.lakecountyil.gov/1942/Libertyville-Health-Center
Behavioral Health & Treatment Providers
- Nicasa Behavioral Health Services – https://www.nicasa.org
- Lake Cook Behavioral Health – https://lakecookbehavioralhealth.com
- North Shore Family Services – https://nsfs.org
- Nicasa Behavioral Health – Family Advocacy Center – https://www.nicasa.org/services/family-advocacy-center/
- Nicasa Behavioral Health – Bridge House – https://www.nicasa.org/services/bridge-house/
- Josselyn – Northfield – https://www.josselyn.org/locations/northfield
Peer Support & Wellness Programs
- 211 Lake County – https://211lakecounty.org , Dial 211
- NAMI Lake County – https://namilakecounty.org
- Living Room Wellness Centers – https://livingroomwellnesscenters.org
Education & Advocacy Resources
- NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) – https://www.nami.org
- Mental Health America – https://www.mhanational.org
- SAMHSA – https://www.samhsa.gov
Community & Nonprofit Support Services
- United Way of Lake County – https://www.uwlakeco.org
- Village of Northbrook Human Services – https://www.northbrook.il.us/government/departments/human_services
Specialized Support & Wellness Initiatives
- Child & Adolescent Services – Lake County Health Department – https://www.lakecountyil.gov/348/Behavioral-Health
- Domestic Violence & Abuse Support – https://www.asafeplaceforhelp.org , Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline: 877‑863‑6338
- LGBTQ+ Support – The Trevor Project – https://www.thetrevorproject.org
- Veterans Support Services – Captain James Lovell VA – https://www.va.gov/lovell-va-medical-center/
Free & Low Cost Services
- Crisis Care Program (CCP) – https://www.lakecountyil.gov/348/Behavioral-Health
- 211 Lake County – https://211lakecounty.org
- NAMI Groups & Peer Support – https://nami.org/Your-Journey/Individuals-with-Mental-Illness/Peer-Support
- Living Room Wellness Centers – https://livingroomwellnesscenters.org
- County Behavioral Health Sliding Scale Services – https://www.lakecountyil.gov/348/Behavioral-Health
Notes & Tips
- 911 is the first step in immediate danger or active crisis.
- 211 Lake County is a starting point for locating services across all categories.
- Many providers accept insurance or offer sliding scale fees — always verify at intake.