by Kimberly Doerner
April 07, 2009
CLOSING_2
Kimberly Doerner/MEDILL
Chicago's Mental Health Clinics that were supposed to be closed are flagged in red. Clinic's remained open are flagged in green.
Related Links
Map of Chicago's Mental Health Clinics
Mayor Richard M. Daley intervened in a surprise move to save four mental health clinics serving 2,000 people on Chicago’s South and Southwest Side from closing their doors Tuesday.
Daley revealed plans to halt the closings at a press conference at a point where leases for the facilities have already been cancelled.
“The mayor is right to halt the closure of the city mental health centers. These closures pose real danger to the city’s public health safety net and put the well-being of many vulnerable individuals at risk,” said Henry Bayer, executive director of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees.
The closings had "been in motion for weeks,” said Tim Hadac, spokesman for the Chicago Department of Public Health. “Boxes [are] packed, furniture moved, leases cancelled, computer lines removed, staff reassigned, and most important, patients notified and counseled.”
But he confirmed the decision to delay the closings. “If the Mayor said it, you can believe it,” Hadac said.
A $2 billion hole in the State budget was given as the reason for state funding reductions for the mental health clinics, according to an August 2008 letter to the city from the Illinois Department of Human. The Chicago Department of Public Health lost $1.2 million in state funding.
The mental health clinics that were ready to close their doors are in Cottage Grove, Woodlawn, Beverly-Morgan Park, and Back of the Yards. Staff from these facilities expected to transfer to the remaining sites. The consolidation was not expected to result in any job losses or interruption of services to clients, said the department.
“Tax revenues, always a reflection of economic health, are not only flat but declining steadily,” Hadac said. “We do not take any future funding for granted—nor should anyone.”
The four community mental health clinics were expected to close by Wednesday, leaving only eight facilities for patients to seek treatment. Currently, there is only enough funding for approximately seven or eight mental health teams out of 12, according to Hadac.
“Previously at each of the 12 clinics, there was simply not enough professional staff and support staff to serve patients effectively,” he said. “And frankly, that’s a disservice to the people who need service.”
Patients at the four clinics have been notified of the consolidation and made aware of other treatment options. Possibilities included choosing another community mental health clinic or private provider.
Francisco Rodriguez, acting director for the Back of the Yards Mental Health Center, said their patients were referred to the nearest clinic.
“Our patients were advised to transfer to the Greater Lawn Mental Health Center.”
Back of the Yard patients would have to travel approximately four and a half miles further to the recommended clinic location. All four clinics where the mayor is halting the closings are within five miles of other open mental health clinics.
Suzanne Andriukaitis, executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, said she fears the closings would cause chaos and confusion. The people will have to travel to new communities and may not feel comfortable in a new setting talking to new doctors.”
While a handful of clinics were expected to close this week, an already established institute is getting a facelift.
Chicagoans seeking help can receive treatment at the Roseland Mental Health Center’s new location at 200 E. 115th St. starting as early as April 9. The center, operated by the city's public health department, is moving into the current Roseland Community Health Center.
“The Roseland Mental Health Center is merely moving several blocks southwest to a newer and better home in the same neighborhood,” said Hadac.
The new Roseland location will provide patients with an array of medical resources in the same building, said Barbara Tieder, director of communications and external affairs.
“The new location will give patients quick access to primary care services as well as mental health services,” she said.
Illinois is home to nearly 1.8 million uninsured residents. Public health services may be the only option for some. Advocacy groups recently held protests and town hall meetings, pleading with Mason and aldermen to keep the four mental health centers open. Monday, they staged a sit-in at Daley’s office.
NAMI issued a national report card in March giving Illinois a D grade for its public mental health care system.
The NAMI Grading the States report card is based on 65 criteria, including access to medication, family education, and housing. The D grade is an improvement from the F grade given just three years ago.
Woodlawn resident Jose Rangel, 32, shakes his head at the state’s ranking and at lawmakers slashing funding to clinics. His neighborhood mental health clinic was one of the four to be closed down.
“It doesn't matter what the people want or need, the government will always go ahead with their plans to cut budgets and get rid of programs,” he said. “It seems like they work on their own agendas.”
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