Connecting Proviso Residents to Free Behavioral Health Resources Mental Health Commission brings together municipalities & first responders to ensure that no one falls through the cracks
HILLSIDE, Illinois – Representatives from Proviso Township’s 14 municipalities, and local police and fire departments gathered last week to learn more about behavioral health resources that are available to their residents and how to help residents take advantage of those resources during a seminar hosted by the Proviso Township Mental Health Commission (PTMHC.) “For nearly 60 years the Proviso Township Mental Health Commission has provided funding for behavioral health services available to every resident in our township,” said PTMHC President Mike Corrigan. “Ensuring that all the local governments and their residents under our umbrella have equal access to these resources is vital to the health and wellbeing of our communities. Many residents will reach out to their local government for help and it’s critical that those local governments can easily connect them to the services that they need. Best of all, these services are completely free for our residents.” The Proviso Township Mental Health Commission provides grants to 22 behavioral health agencies that deliver services to Proviso residents. Services cover senior care, mental health, homelessness and food insecurity, domestic violence, developmental disabilities, substance abuse, and more. Attendees at today’s seminar got a refresher on the wide range of services available to their residents as well as tips on engaging communities about mental health topics and disseminating information about those services to their residents. A variety of media was curated and provided to attendees to utilize in the dissemination of information through their communication channels including, print newsletters, social media, websites, papers, digital flyers and more. These resources will make it easy for community leaders to communicate and connect residents to the mental health and other needed services right here in the township. “When our neighbors don’t get the help that they need, they often end up in crisis,” said Corrigan. “They may end up in the emergency room or they may lose their home. That has negative external impacts that affect all of us. It’s better for everyone if people can stay healthy, housed, and productive in their communities.” PTMHC President Mike Corrigan addresses representatives from Proviso Communities. The 58-year-old Proviso Township Mental Health Commission is one of the oldest 708 boards in Illinois and serves behavioral health needs of the 155,000 residents of Proviso Township. The township covers 14 municipalities including Bellwood, Berkeley, Broadview, Brookfield, Forest Park, Hillside, La Grange Park, Melrose Park, Maywood, North Riverside, North Lake, Stone Park, Westchester, and Western Springs. The mission of the Proviso Township Mental Health Commission is to provide financial assistance in the form of annual or special grants for operating purposes from funds obtained by assessment of annual tax on real property to agencies involved in providing prevention or treatment services to township residents in the areas of mental health, developmental disabilities, substance use disorder and medical services as they relate to behavioral health. ###
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