DuPage United Fall Assembly - Addressing the Need for Expanding Mental Health Resources in DuPage County

DuPage United member institutions are invited to come together to push for focus and urgency on expanding services to address deep gaps related to mental health in our region. State’s Attorney Robert Berlin will be attendance.

Incarceration of DuPage County persons in mental health crisis is not appropriate and is expensive. Lack of training for responding law enforcement and lack of sufficient alternatives for responders makes this an unjust and unproductive situation.

DGFUMC members attending do not have to do anything at this assembly. Simply attend -- which shows your support as part of a larger community backing the research and proposed solutions of DuPage United on behalf of persons with mental health issues and those in crisis.

Being present at the meeting:

• Helps put pressure on the legislators to release funding to deal with this costly issue because it costs FIVE times more to incarcerate someone than provide proper mental health treatment.
• Supports crisis training for law enforcement personnel - who, due to lack of proper training & appropriate alternatives for people in psychiatric crisis, have no alternative except to incarcerate individuals in crisis.

Also on the agenda is the need for Crisis Triage Centers and other jail-diversion strategies. To learn more, visit dupageunited.org.