Stronger Together: A spotlight on The Chicago Lighthouse

This post is based on a podcast conversation with Grace Sorci, Senior Research Associate at The Chicago Lighthouse. You can listen to the full interview here.

When we talk about mental health, it is easy to fall into a negative cycle. On this website, we have dealt with many difficult topics, such as suicide, alcoholism, depression, geopolitical unrest, and more. 

We often talk about how the various mental health issues appear to be getting worse, with statistics included in the posts painting a bleak picture of our national mental health.

But while these issues deserve time and attention – highlighting them can be the springboard of change for individuals – it is also important to recognize the positive work that people are doing.

Forces of good in mental health

We have shone a light on well-deserving stories in the past. One example is kindness day, which was begun by Cathy McCann, whose daughter Sadie McCann passed from a rare disease called Aicardi Syndrome. Cathy, along with her close friends and family, turned this tragedy into a force for good, touching lives through acts of kindness.

Other more positive articles that we’ve written include showing the good work that can come from CIT training (and how you can take part!), and tips to make the most of the good weather to impact your mental health – which is relevant again at this time of year!

There’s also the story of an improv comedian who daylights as a psychologist, using humor to combat anxiety or the phenomenon of peer support, which can prove highly effective in helping others with similar lived experiences.

So, while it may seem that everything is getting worse and we’re on a downward cycle since COVID, the truth is that there are many people and organizations out there doing good work and making our communities a better place. 

And this is no new thing. Some of them have been around for over a hundred years. 

The Chicago Lighthouse

According to Grace Sorci, Senior Research Associate at The Chicago Lighthouse, the organization is a “social service non-profit that empowers people that are blind or visually impaired, disabled, and Veterans  to reach their full potential.” It has been around since 1906 and has worked tirelessly in that time to help the residents of Cook County. 

The organization has services that are focused on the practical or clinical side of caring for individuals with vision impairment or blindness, they also provide resources and services to address accompanying psychological issues associated with adjusting to vision loss.

Their main location is in the Illinois Medical District, where they offer comprehensive or social support services, with another location in suburban Glenview, and “satellite clinic facilities located throughout Chicagoland offering vision rehabilitation services.”

The Stronger Together Initiative

While treating and adjusting to the functional aspects associated with vision loss can be life-changing, the fact is that the accompanying psychological aspects require an equal level of attention. This is an aspect that the organization is looking to strengthen with the Stronger Together Initiative.

As Grace says, “We’re really excited about this initiative. It’s in partnership with the Office of Behavioral Health, at  Cook County Health and an expansion of our mental health screening and service delivery for adult Cook County residents.”

With Stronger Together, more members of the community who are Veterans and/or impacted by vision loss or other disabilities, as well as their caregivers will have access to mental health resources, chiefly provided by professionals from Chicago Lighthouse's Bergman Institute for Psychological Support.

Dedicated mental health coordinator

One of the key parts of the initiative is the hiring of a dedicated mental health care coordinator who will be responsible for logistics to lower barriers to entry and providing follow-up support. This will help ensure that everyone gets access to the right resources and services that are tailored to their needs. 

What’s more, part of the funding will be specifically dedicated to associated costs, meaning that “transportation services to appointments, childcare costs” and similar expenses that often create barriers to accessing mental health services will be covered, according to Grace.

Who can benefit from the initiative?

The initiative is open to adult Cook County residents who “fall inside the mission population” as Grace says, clarifying that this can refer to anyone who is blind or visually impaired, is adjusting to vision loss, or is newly diagnosed with an eye condition. It is also available to individuals who are disabled, veterans, or caregivers of any of the above.

Funding has been made available to support uninsured individuals and to cover out-of-pocket expenses, transportation, and similar logistical issues.

This approach ensures that everyone who needs tailored mental health support in the area can get access to it – including caregivers.

Interested in signing up?

If you think you would qualify for the program and would like to sign up, please visit the Stronger Together website here. Not only will you find more information about the initiative, but you will be led to an interest form  by clicking on the indicated link. 

All of your responses will be confidential, with only the team at Stronger Together having access. Once you submit your entry, you will be contacted by a member of the team within two business days. 

Organizations like The Chicago Lighthouse are what makes our community great. At MHAI, we fully support the work they – and others like them – do in serving our population and bringing light to people’s lives. 

If you have any questions or need access to other resources, please feel free to contact us today.