Vote yes for mental health

As a hospice chaplain in the community for almost 30 years, I am often tasked with finding community mental health professionals for others. I ran for local government to bring a health care and human service voice to our community. In Illinois, it is extremely challenging for people who are living with mental health and substance use challenges or developmental and intellectual disabilities to get the therapeutic help they need. Sadly, there is a drastic shortage of available services and excessive wait times for services, even for people who can privately pay.

Emergency department visits by people who are in a mental health crisis or who are suffering from a drug overdose are at all-time highs. Our public schools provide outstanding support for people with developmental disabilities, but they age out at 22 and typically wait several years to get services from the state.

The good news is we can help increase mental health services in our communities. In the November general election, there will be referendums on the ballot in several townships to create community mental health boards, known as 708 boards. These boards have a small taxing authority, subject to the approval of the local township board. The funds they generate are used to provide additional funding for more mental health services that stay within the local township.

For most homeowners, the additional tax will be about the cost of a large pizza — a small amount that pays to expand much-needed services.

I believe we all benefit as a community when we care for our most vulnerable neighbors. I ask everyone to please vote yes. — The Rev. Nicolle Grasse, trustee, Arlington Heights Village Board