The mental health system in Illinois is confusing and difficult to navigate.  MHAI is here to assist consumers in their search for mental health resources and information. MHAI’s Information and Resource Center answers calls from consumers, family members, and providers. The Resource Center helps persons with mental and physical illnesses to locate support groups and mental health services in their community.

MHAI provides:

• Information on free support groups for consumers and family members;
  
  
• Linkage to community mental health services;
  
  
• Assistance with obtaining community-based services after discharge from a hospital;
  
  
• Information on affordable housing options for persons that are mentally ill or developmentally disabled;
  
  
• Linkage to psychiatrists and other mental health professionals;
  
  
• Information on how to obtain affordable psychiatric medications;
  
  
• Educational information on all mental illnesses and other physical disabilities;
  
  
• Information and resources on legal matters related to persons with mental illnesses –  applying for Social Security Disability (SSI/SSDI); confidentiality issues; employee rights; rights of patients in psychiatric hospitals, nursing homes and jails; abuse and neglect of patients in hospitals, nursing homes and jails; involuntary commitment; guardianship and advocacy; etc.

In the coming months a document called “Step by Step Advocacy for Mental Health Care in Illinois” will be available upon request.  Created by the Edwin F. Mandel Legal Aid Clinic at the University Of Chicago Law School, this document will outline the necessary steps families and consumers can take to get access to adequate treatment services, explaining patient and family rights.