Mission: Mental Health America of Illinois (*formerly Mental Health Association in Illinois) is dedicated to promoting mental health, working for the prevention of mental illnesses and improving care and treatment for persons suffering from mental and emotional disorders.

Founded in 1909, MHAI is a leading non-profit, non-governmental, statewide organization in Illinois concerned with the entire spectrum of mental and emotional disorders.

Did you know?

• Approximately 62.5 million Americans – or one in five people – experience some form of a mental disorder each year.

• An estimated 7.7 percent of Illinois adults or more than 700,000 suffered from a severe mental illness during the last year.

• One in 10 Illinois children or more than 350,000 under the age of 19 suffer from a serious mental disturbance severe enough to impair their functioning and ability to learn. However, only 20 percent of these children will receive mental health services.

• According to the National Institute of Mental Health and the World Health Organization, by 2020 depression will be the 3rd leading cause of disability worldwide.

• For every dollar spent on mental health services in Illinois, $5 is saved on overall healthcare costs.