Amidst the bustling streets of Albany Park, incidents reflecting the urgent need for better mental health support continue to emerge.
Recently, a man was seen in visible distress near the Brown Line Kimball station.
He was not threatening anyone; rather, he was in a state of crisis, crying out as if seeking help that was not readily available to him.
Witnessing this situation, bystanders were left with an unsettling feeling as emergency responders arrived.
Two police vehicles and an ambulance pulled up, but the outcome highlighted systemic shortcomings in responding to mental health emergencies.
The man was agitated but not hostile, yet he refused assistance and walked away after the brief interaction with responders.
For many, such occurrences are becoming all too familiar in Chicago, where treatment for mental health needs fails to adequately address the individuals involved.
Rather than viewing these situations as public safety issues, there is a growing recognition that they are public health crises that require a different approach.
The Chicago community is advocating for the expansion of the Crisis Assistance Response and Engagement (CARE) program as a solution to these challenges.
CARE represents a shift towards more compassionate and effective responses to mental health crises and related emergencies.
Incorporating mental health professionals, peer support workers, and first responders, CARE aims to engage individuals in distress with empathy rather than force.
Currently, CARE is designed to divert crisis calls away from police and towards supportive services, a change that has been welcomed by police departments.
This initiative comes after prolonged advocacy from Black and Brown communities, which have long called for a mental health system that prioritizes care over criminalization.
By the time of gaining office in 2019, the push to reopen public mental health clinics had already begun, culminating in the pilot version of CARE.
In 2022, a concerted outreach effort involved canvassing thousands of doors to gauge public opinion on the importance of reopening closed mental health facilities and establishing a mobile crisis response team comprising mental health professionals.
The results were overwhelmingly supportive, with 97 percent of voters in three wards expressing their desire for such changes.
Despite this clear mandate from citizens, the CARE program remains hampered by underfunding and logistical limitations, such as limited operating hours and staffing shortages.
These challenges highlight the necessity for investment in this crucial mental health service as federal funding begins to dwindle.
Chicago is currently facing rising costs associated with police misconduct lawsuits and overtime expenses, emphasizing the need for strategic reallocation of resources.
By investing in CARE, the city has the potential not only to address urgent health crises on the streets but also to reduce the burdens on police and the broader justice system.
The case for expanding CARE is further supported by examples from other cities, where similar approaches have yielded positive outcomes.
In Albuquerque, a Community Safety Department exists specifically for behavioral health emergencies separate from police forces, demonstrating that effective models can be established.
Similarly, Denver’s STAR program dispatches mental health professionals and paramedics to emergencies instead of police, and it has proven successful in saving lives and fostering trust within the community.
Chicago possesses a clear vision and framework for enhancing CARE, supported by an administration committed to mental health reform.
What is now needed is a budget that reflects the urgency of these issues and prioritizes expanding CARE’s operating hours and staffing levels.
Strengthening CARE’s connections to existing mental health clinics and ensuring adequate training for dispatchers will be critical in preventing individuals from being neglected in their moments of crisis.
As the rhythm of daily life in Chicago resumes, it is crucial that we do not overlook the need for comprehensive care for individuals in distress.
Investing in systems that work not only promotes healing but also fosters a healthier community for all.
The time for action is now, and the voices of Chicago residents demand that we invest in effective solutions for mental health emergencies.
image source from：chicago
